Aerva Javanica Desert Plant | Kapok Bush ٻوهه | Desert Bush of Tharparkar

By: Teerath Jhangi

Tharparkar is an open natural museum. Numerous varieties and species of wildlife, trees, shrubs and trees are surviving on uncertain rains and salty ground water. It is the beauty of desert throughout the year, which attracts the tourist.

Every specie has its own importance, these are totally natural and organic species and indigenous peoples always use leaves, fruits & seeds of these herbs, shrubs and trees. Also, the livestock of the area depends upon theses flora. Booh/kapok bush (AERVA JAVANICA) is an evergreen bush of the desert.

Booh (Aerva Javanica) Desert cotton, is a specie belongs to Amaranthaceous family. Booh Aerva javanica is widespread in semi-arid and arid regions of the tropics and subtropics. It is found throughout the arid region of Pakistan but few different species of booh are available in Tharparkar, whereas much of that area is called the ‘borharo’. Booh is found everywhere in Thar as if it is planted with an intuitive strategy. Booh (Aerva Javanica) Desert cotton is herbaceous, multi-stemmed and soft-wooded and bears broad leaves; it often has an erect habit and grows to a height of about 1.6 meters (5 ft 3 in).

It contains white round bunch of flower, which is called "dondhan" in local language. It is the favorite fodder of small livestock and camel. Usually it is used as a fire wood and fencing material of livestock herds and shades. Dondhan of plant are very soft and warm like a cotton.

Now a days peoples are selling in nearest markets and using the flowers (Dondhan) of booh for filling the plows and sofa sets.

It is also a mediational plant.