{{short description|Species of plant}} {{Speciesbox | image = Calligonum polygonoides.JPG | genus = Calligonum | species = polygonoides | authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]] }}

'''''Calligonum polygonoides''''', locally known as ''phog'' ({{langx|raj|फोग}}), is a small shrub found in [[Thar Desert]] areas, usually 4 feet to 6 feet high but occasionally may reach even 10 feet in height with a girth of 1 to 2&nbsp;ft.<ref name="R Burdak 1982 p.56">L R Burdak (1982): Recent advances in desert afforestation, Dehradun, p.56</ref> This plant is referred to as ''orta'' in old [[Arabic]] poetry. It commonly grows on dry [[sand]]y [[soil]]s and on [[sand dunes]]. It is very hardy and being capable of growing under adverse conditions of soil and moisture. It is [[frost]] hardy. It produces root suckers and is easily propagated by cutting and [[layering (horticulture)|layering]].

==Uses== Its charcoal is used to melt iron. Its flowers, known as ''phogalo'' in [[Rajasthani language|Rajasthani]], are used to prepare [[raita]].<ref name="R Burdak 1982 p.56"/>

The plant is fed to cattle. It is an important part of the habitat for semi-desert wildlife.<ref name="R Burdak 1982 p.56"/>

==References== {{reflist}}

== Further reading == *Kaul, R. N. (1963). Need for afforestation in the arid zones of India. ''La-Yaaran'' vol 13. *Ghosh, R. C. (1977). Hand Book on Afforestation Techniques. Dehradun. *Gupta, R. K. & I. Prakasah. (1975). Environmental Analysis of the Thar Desert. Dehradun. *Tadevosyan, T. L. (2001). On the ecology of the joint weed-like calligonum (''Calligonum polygonoides'' L., Dicotyledones, Polygonaceae). Proceedings of Republican Youth Scientific Conference: The Future of Ecological Science in Armenia. Yerevan. pp. 35-42. (In Russian) *Tadevosyan, T. L. (2007). [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/brill/amre/2007/00000028/00000003/art00017 The role of vegetation in microhabitat selection of syntopic lizards, ''Phrynocephalus persicus'', ''Eremias pleskei'' and ''Eremias strauchi'' from Armenia.] ''Amphibia-Reptilia'' 28(3) 444-48.

{{commons category-inline|Calligonum polygonoides}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q3635306}}

[[Category:Calligonum|polygonoides]] [[Category:Flora of Pakistan]] [[Category:Flora of Armenia]] [[Category:Flora of Azerbaijan]] [[Category:Flora of Rajasthan]] [[Category:Flora of the Thar Desert]] [[Category:Plants described in 1753]] [[Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]