A perennial herb, known as yurak or audthan al himar, growing to a height of 75 cm in isolated bushes on silty and gravelly ground, this native plant is widespread in the desert around Arriyadh. Erect, tough, green branches with broad leaves up to 10 cm long wrap round the stem. Pinkish-blue flowers are borne in the spring and the fruit is an erect, cylindrical silique 7 cm long. The whole plant has an attractive purplish cast to its appearance. Fast-growing, it has lateral, deep roots and is very hardy and drought-tolerant with a moderate salt tolerance. Propagation is easy from seeds. M. sinaica has good potential for landscape design use as a groundcover and colourful accent in desert schemes. Apart from occasional tidying up and some water in summer to improve its appearance, it requires very little maintenance.