IN AND AROUND JERUSALEM . . . salt-plants and broom roots

TREES, BUSHES AND FLOWERS OF THE DESERT

salt-plants and broom roots [see below places to run to]

Throughout history, the Judean Desert has been a convenient place to escape to, whether it be from enemies or from civilization. Convenient, because it was not that far from the country's major centers. For David escaping from King Saul, Ein Gedi was an excellent place to hide with his fighters. A monk in the Byzantine period could communicate with God in a cave close to a desert monastery, but it was a relatively short journey for a meeting with the bishop in Jerusalem or to stock up on provisions. This is why a number of well-known monasteries were established here during the Byzantine period. If you were a sect anticipating the soon arrival of the End of Days, you could disconnect from civilization and live in Qumran, but still be close to population centers where you could sell your manuscripts and catch up on news. If you were Herod, you could prepare an impregnable stronghold in Massada in case the going got tough, but still live in luxurious palaces in Jerusalem and Herodium. And if you were zealots and survivors from the Great Revolt against Rome, you could hope to hide away from the Romans in that very same fortress. Unfortunately for them, that plan didn't work out.

COMMON PLANTS IN THE DESERT 

SHRUBBY SALTBUSH

The Shrubby Saltbush is a 1 to 2-meter evergreen shrub know in Hebrew as מלוח קיפח (maluach ki'peach). It almost certainly got this name because its leaves are salty. In fact, flocks and their shepherds find its large, semi-succulent leaves quite tasty. In times of famine they have been gathered as a source of food (Job 30:4). The young leaves can also be used in salads. The leaves have fine hairs on them. The plant is found throughout deserts and in sandy conditions. It is able to survive through its deep root systems in a variety of soil conditions, especially salty soil as is found together with chalk and clay rocks. Its root system provides stability to the soil and helps prevent erosion. The plant is eaten by mammals and insects. Fat sand rats eat its leaves and their burrows are often close to the shrub.

WHITE BROOM

The White Broom or in Hebrew "Rotem hamidbar" (רותם המדבר) is a very common 1.5-3.0 meter bush seen in the Negev and Judean Desert, and also in coastal sands. One way it is able to survive the dry conditions of the desert is by its lack of leaves. It has greyish-green flexible and often hanging branches. In late-January and February it flowers with clusters along the branches of fragrant white flowers. These develop into single-seed pods that are eaten by hares when they fall to the ground and are excreted intact in their stool. The prophet Elijah sat under this bush when he fled into the desert in despair from Jezebel (I King 19:4). He was rescued by an angel of God and went to the Mountain of God in Horeb.

ACACIA TREE 

The Acacia tree. Three types of acacia trees grow in Israel. They are the most common tree found in the desert and may sometimes be the only tree growing in an area. The picture below is the Umbrella Thorn Acacia, Acacia tortillis, or in Hebrew שיטה סוככנית. The tree is full of thorns, has a number of trunks and the branches spread out like a flat canopy. It has bunches of yellow flowers, which at first glance can appear like a single flower. How does this tree manage to not only survive but to actually thrive and grow in the extreme heat of the desert? The answer is that it has an extremely long root system that burrows into underground aquifers that may be present in the desert wadis. These roots may be several times the height of the tree. The acacia tree is responsible for a very active ecosystem. Ibex and gazelle feed on its leaves and rodents feed on its coiled or ring shaped pods. The acacia tree has much mention in the Torah as it was used in the construction of the Tabernacle and its utensils, such as the ark and the altar. Why this particular tree? It would have been the only large tree around in the Sinai desert.

BEAN BUSH CAPER

This is the Bush Bean Caper, called a zugan hasiach (זוגן השיח ) in Hebrew. It is the most common large bush in the Negev and Midbar Yehuda. It can be readily recognized by its fleshy compound leaves, composed of a pair of cylindrical leaflets. It flowers are large and white and bloom in January, February and March, or even earlier if there is rain. The plant has the ability to survive for many years, up to 100 years and perhaps more! It does this by shedding leaves during drought. Each branch is part of a single root unit, so that if it dies, the others will survive. The remaining leaflets are able to store water and have reduced sunken stomata. There is more abo about these mechanisms in this interesting but rather complicated article. 

JOINTED ANABASIS

The Jointed Anabasis is a common desert bush (called  יפרוק המדבר, yafruk hamidbar). It has a height of about 20-35 cm. It has no leaves. Its stems are jointed (hence its name), cylindrical and succulent. They contain quite a lot salt. The plant is able to tolerate salty soil. And that's all I could find out about it!

Source: https://inandaroundjerusalem.com/trees_bushes_and_flowers_of_the_desert

PLACES TO VISIT (OR RUN TO)

• The Botanical Gardens in Kibbutz Ein Gedi *****

This botanical gardens in Kibbutz Ein Gedi overlooking the Dead Sea is a jewel in the Judean Desert - and is a must to visit. In actuality, the entire kibbutz is one big Botanical Gardens! As one website put it – this is the only botanical garden in the world in which people live. 

Overview: "The Dead Sea - dead and still dying”

• Ein Gedi - Nahal Arugot  *****

Most visitors to Ein Gedi head to Nahal David, but there are also other wonderful hikes in the area. As you hike through Nahal Arugot you will pass by luxuriant vegetation framed between towering cliffs. Walking through the stream in hot weather is also a lot of fun. There is swimming in the upper pools.

•  Nahal David to Ein Gedi Spring and ancient synagogue at Ein Gedi  *****

Most visitors to Ein Gedi walk no further than to Nahal David - but they are missing out on fantastic hikes, interesting sites, and exceptional views of the Dead Sea and Moabite mountains. This hike visits the waterfalls of Nahal David and then ascends to Ein Gedi Spring. The Dodim Cave can also be visited. There has been settlement and agriculture in this area for thousands of years and you will see the ruins of a Charcolithic temple and an ancient synagogue.  

Overview: "When was the Chalcolithic Period?”

• Ein Mabu'a  *****

Ein Mabu'a is a stunningly beautiful oasis in Nahal Prat only a short distance from Jerusalem. There is a pool for swimming, and you can hike along the path by the stream or wade in the shallow water that flows even in the middle of summer. There is no admission charge. 

•  Ein Prat Nature Reserve  *****

Hike among luscious foliage by a stream in the Judean Desert that flows even in the middle of the summer. Picnic in a Eucalyptus grove by a beautiful spring while your kids play in the water. Swim in the Palm Pool. All this and more you will find in the Ein Prat Nature Reserve just a short distance from Jerusalem. 

Background: "Nahal Prat, Anatot and Jeremiah”

• A Nature walk in the wadis of Maale Adumim   ****

Ma'ale Adumim is in a transitional zone between the Judean Desert and the Judean Mountains, and in the wadi there are olive and fig trees typical of the Judean Mountains, planted pine, cedar and cypress trees as found in many forests in Israel, acacia trees typical of the Judean Desert, and tamarisk trees that are often planted in the Negev. 



Nachal Prat is a very beautiful wadi that descends from close to Jerusalem to Jericho. It contains three springs - Ein Prat is the closest to Jerusalem, is below the settlement of Almon, which is close to the ancient site of Anatot, a Levite city mentioned in the book of Jeremiah; Ein Mabu'a is further along the wadi close to Alon on the Allon Road; the third spring is Ein Qelt below Mitzpe Yericho.