Peganum

a plant genus of the Zygophyllaceae family (bean capers). Six species are known to exist in southern Europe, Asia (from Asia Minor to Mongolia) and America (Mexico). There are two species in the USSR. Harmal (P. harmala), a herbaceous perennial plant with a taproot, is commonly encountered in the southern European part of the country, the Caucasus, and Middle Asia. The leaves are dissected in lanceolate lobes. The perianth is pentamerous and the petals are white. There are 15 stamens and a superior gynaecium. The fruit is a trilocular polyspermic pod. Peganum grows on the steppes, semidesert, and desert. Sometimes it grows as a weed near houses or along roads. Animals do not eat it because it is poisonous. It contains alkaloids, harmaline, harmine, and other toxic substances. The seeds of Peganum yield fast dyes (purplish pink and other colors) for woolen and silken fabrics.