African Rue

African Rue, Syrian Rue

(Peganum harmala)

Zygophyllaceae (Caltrop Family)

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African Rue or Syrian Rue is a problem more south & west of here

has 3-lobed leaves with linear lobes, dense branching
forms a mound of fleshy, odorous leaves and branches about 2 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
has showy white, 5-petaled flowers about 1" across midsummer, followed by globe-shaped, papery seed pods--pods are not spiny as on puncturevine
is toxic to livestock, hallucinogenic and is the original source of red dye used in Persian rugs
may not be able to overwinter here, but due to tolerance of most herbicides and adaptation to dryland systems, may be difficult to control if it does reach here as a weed