Toothbrush Tree

The plant referred to as khatm in the Qur’ān, thought to be Salvadora persica, is described as a tree or shrub bearing bitter or inedible fruit. In South-West Asia and India, young roots and stems of S. persica have been used for a long time to cleanse and strengthen teeth, freshen the breath and prevent tooth cavities.

The toothbrush or mustard tree is a widespread species found in tropical West and East Africa, and from North Africa eastwards through the Arabian Peninsula to India and Sri Lanka. It grows where groundwater is readily available, such as banks of streams and rivers. It is fully adapted to dry environments and in parts of eastern Saudi Arabia grows in dense thickets on sand hummocks.

Painted from specimens found in Dubai and at Sharjah Botanic Gardens, UAE.

Grows at Kew in the Palm House.

Completed painting size: 51 x 71cm
Main picture natural size, details of fruit and seed x 3, details of flowers x 10. close up of flowers x 20
Watercolour on paper