User:Ateah Alfakih/sandbox

Khozama (also spilled as khuzama), Horwoodia dicksoniae Turrill, from the Brassicaceae family, is a native seasonal plant to Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Palestine , and Qatar.

Vernacular names and Etymology
The term "khozama" (خزامى) is specifically reserved for Horwoodia dicksoniae in Saudi Arabia. However, there is a common misnomer where it is mistakenly applied to certain species within the Lavender group of the Lamiaceae family in their native range, stemming from translation errors. The genus Horwoodia was christened in honour of Arthur Reginald Horwood, while the species name "dicksoniae" pays tribute to Mrs. Violet Dickson, acknowledging their significant contributions to specimen collection and taxonomic identification from Kuwait.

Scientific description
This herb grows up to 20 cm. The flowers are around 8 mm in diameter and have a purplish to deep-lilac colour. This species is highly fragrant, emitting a sweet scent. A more detailed description can be found in Turill's description.

Taxonomy
Horwoodia dicksoniae is the only species within the genus Horwoodia and has two synonyms :

1- Tchihatchewia dicksoniae (Turrill) V.I.Dorof.

2- Malcolmia musili Velen.

Potential uses
This species is an important ornamental element of the spring landscape and is grazed by livestock, but it proves difficult to find a use for it, although seeds are sold in some authentic botanical shops in Saudi Arabia.

Khozama is a strongly aromatic species that is rare among the Brassicaceae family in Saudi Arabia. It has been found that Khozama may consist of up to 0.07% volatile oil in its aerial parts.

Cultural symbolism:
Khozama holds cultural significance and symbolism in Saudi Arabia, where the colour purple carries distinct connotations. On May 5, 2021, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia formally declared a transition in the ceremonial carpet colour, opting for the Khozama shade over the traditional red, marking a noteworthy adjustment in cultural symbolism and aesthetic choices. The colour purple appears also in multiple festivals logos and colour identities such as 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.

The Khozama has a long history in Arabic poetry and persists in Saudi modern poetry and songs.

Jarir said:

ذَكَرتَ ثَرى نَواظِرَ وَالخُزامى فَكادَ القَلبُ يَنصَدِعُ اِنصِداعا

"You mentioned the sand of the 'Nawadher' and 'Al- Khozama,'

The heart nearly shattered, breaking into pieces."

Nawadher is a seasonal lake in the Northern Borders Region in Saudi Arabia.

In Saudi songs:

The Khozama as a symbol of a nice smell has been employed in Saudi songs, as in Khalid Abdulrahman song Bedouin love along with other native desert plants including Nafal and Samur

"The scent of Khozama and clover, the finest scents,

The allure of the aroma of Samur wood in its garments"

Recently, the Khozama colour has been utilised in Saudi textiles, including Abaya and its accessories such as Tarhah.