How to Grow and Care for Sparrow-worts

Shaggy sparrow-wort is a hardy, desert shrub. While extremely useful, it is toxic to fish and mammals. It is cultivated for its strong fibers which are used for rope, paper making, and more by the local Bedouins. The rope is strong enough to anchor tents in a sandstorm, yoke a camel, and more.

Annual thymelaea (Thymelaea passerina) is a shrub found in temperate and tropical climates around Europe, Asia, and Africa (in particular around the Mediterranean). It tends to be invasive because it takes hold quickly in disturbed soil and is worthless as livestock forage. The species name means "sparrow," for the black fruit's similarity to a sparrow's beak.

Silvery Spurge Flax is characterized by its tough, wiry stems that branch out to form a dense shrub. Its small, leathery leaves are adapted to retain moisture, a trait useful in its typically dry Mediterranean habitats. Vividly hued flowers, though sparse, add a splash of color amid the greenery, attracting pollinators within its native ecosystem.