What is "alhagi maurorum"

camel \cam"el\ (k[acrf]m"[e^]l), n. [Oe. camel, chamel, OF. camel, chamel, F. chameau L. camelus, fr. Gr. ka`mhlos; of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. g[=a]m[=a]l, Ar. jamal. Cf. As. camel, fr. L. camelus.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) A large ruminant used in Asia and Africa for carrying burdens and for riding. The camel is remarkable for its ability to go a long time without drinking. Its hoofs are small, and situated at the extremities of the toes, and the weight of the animal rests on the callous. The dromedary ( Camelus dromedarius) has one bunch on the back, while the Bactrian camel ( Camelus Bactrianus) has two. The llama, alpaca, and vicu[~n]a, of South America, belong to a related genus ( Auchenia).

2. (Naut.) A water-tight structure (as a large box or boxes) used to assist a vessel in passing over a shoal or bar or in navigating shallow water. By admitting water, the camel or camels may be sunk and attached beneath or at the sides of a vessel, and when the water is pumped out the vessel is lifted.

   Camel bird (Zo["o]l.), the ostrich.

   Camel locust (Zo["o]l.), the mantis.

   Camel's thorn (Bot.), a low, leguminous shrub ( Alhagi maurorum) of the Arabian desert, from which exudes a sweetish gum, which is one of the substances called manna.

Alhagi maurorum is a species of legume commonly known, variously, as camelthorn, camelthorn-bush, Caspian manna, and Persian mannaplant. This shrub is native to the region extending from the Mediterranean to Russia, but has been introduced to many other areas of the world, including Australia, southern Africa, and the western United States. The perennial plant grows from a massive rhizome system which may extend over six feet into the ground. New shoots can appear over 20 feet from the parent plant. Above the ground, the plant rarely reaches four feet in height. It is a heavily branched, gray-green thicket with long spines along the branches. It bears small, bright pink to maroon pea flowers and small legume pods, which are brown or reddish and constricted between the seeds. The seeds are mottled brown beans.