Botanico

Plant profile

qat

Catha edulis (Vahl) Forssk. ex Endl.

Photo of qat
Image: User:Katpatuka. License: Public domain. Source: Wikimedia Commons. · Wikimedia Commons

Khat is an outdoor plant, characterized by its bushy appearance and traditional cultivation practices.

From Wikipedia

Khat or qat, also known as Bushman's tea in South Africa, is a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae, and the sole species in the genus Catha. It is a shrub or tree native to eastern and southern Africa, ranging from Ethiopia and South Sudan to Angola and the Cape Provinces of South Africa. It grows in montane riverine and evergreen forests from 1,100 to 2,400 metres elevation.

Khat — Text CC BY-SA. See the original article.

Open-data facts

Life form
It is a woody plant with a bushy to low tree-like form.
Climate
Tropical areas with monsoon or seasonal drought.
Origin / area
In the wild, it is commonly associated with: Eritrea to S. Africa.
Documented uses
Human food · Medicines · Environmental · ornamental · Social · Vertebrate poisons

Traits (USDA)

Botanical group
Dicot means that the seedling starts with a pair of embryonic leaves.

Recommended products for qat

    Ecological interactions

    • Hosts:

      Hypargyria metalliferella, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Ovularia, Oidium sp. pm-103, Cycloschizon fimbriatum, Cycloschizon pollaccii, Diplodia sp., Coryneum microstictum…

    • Eaten by:

      Hypargyria metalliferella

    Basic care

    Watering
    Water when the top few centimetres of soil feel dry.
    Light
    Too much shade slows it; too much sun stresses it.
    Temperature
    Steady warmth without scorching the leaves.
    Humidity
    A middle humidity level keeps the plant steady.

    Pet toxicity

    See a vet if you suspect your pet has eaten any part.

    Cats: yes (toxic). Dogs: yes (toxic).

    Sources