Agriophyllum
Sign in to saveAgriophyllum is a genus of flowering plants of the family Amaranthaceae, native to arid regions of Asia with a few occurrences in Eastern Europe. Reaching at most 1m, they are valuable as fodder and for wind‑blown soil capture.
Species
GENUS
- KingdomPlantae
- PhylumTracheophyta
- ClassMagnoliopsida
- OrderCaryophyllales
- FamilyAmaranthaceae
Native toAfghanistan, China North-Central, East European Russia, Gulf States, Inner Mongolia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Manchuria, Mongolia, North Caucasus
General: Agriophyllum, from Gr. αγριος, agrios, wild, φύλλov
via GBIF · Kew POWO
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Agriophyllum is a genus of flowering plants of the family Amaranthaceae, native to arid regions of Asia with a few occurrences in Eastern Europe. Reaching at most 1m, they are valuable as fodder and for wind‑blown soil capture.
In Kazakhstan, it is known as "kumarshyk". Scientists from the Atyrau Region patented a drink combining kumarshyk with camel's milk that's undergone lactic acid fermentation. In 2021, author Murat Bektenov, who is from the Ryn Desert region, published a book named after the plant. The book outlines how kumarshyk was used for sustenance by Kazakhs during times of war and famine. Like wheat, kumarshyk seeds can be roasted, milled, baked, or even made into porridge.