African rue (Peganum harmala)

A member of Caltrop family, African rue is a multibranched perennial.  African Rue is a succulent herb with leaves that are alternate, smooth, and finely and deeply cut or divided with long, narrow segments. The flowers, borne singly along the stem in the leaf forks, are white with 5 petals. African rue reproduces both vegetatively and by seed.

African rue (Peganum harmala) is native to North Africa and the Asiatic deserts. It was introduced into New Mexico in 1928 for its use in making dyes. African rue is toxic to livestock and can replace valuable forage, subsequently reducing the productivity of pasture and rangeland.  It is very well adapted to arid climates, and as such will thrive in Nevada. Currently there are populations in both Churchill and Mineral counties.