Mount Sinai Thorn

Description:

Small tree up to 2 m in height; a hybrid between C. azarolus and C. mongyna; deciduous tree, loses its leaves in winter but retains its edible red fruits making a good food source for birds and small mammals; all parts of tree are medicinal according to local Bedouin tribe, who call this tree Za'rur

Habitat:

High altitudes, found in the mountains of south Sinai but nowhere else in Egypt; these trees spotted on Jebel Safsafa after a recent and rare snowfall.