Peganum harmala, commonly known as wild rue, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to semi-arid regions such as steppes, deserts, and scrublands across Southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. It is well-adapted to grow in saline soils and typically reaches up to 31 inches tall with a woody rootstock. Wild rue has a bushy growth form with small, narrow leaves and white flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy, but the plant is known for its distinctive seed pods and seeds, which are used in various traditional medicines due to their psychoactive alkaloids, harmine and harmaline.

Wild rue is valued for its medicinal properties and is sometimes used as an ornamental plant in xeriscaping due to its ability to thrive in dry, disturbed areas with minimal water requirements. It prefers full sun exposure and well-drained soils. However, it is toxic to livestock and can be invasive outside its native range, particularly in parts of the western United States, where it can outcompete native vegetation. Gardeners should be cautious and check local regulations before cultivating Peganum harmala.CC BY-SA 4.0