Blunt-leaved ashwagandha (Withania obtusifolia)

Obtuse-leaved winter cherry

Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey / License

Withania obtusifolia: Botanical Profile, Habitat, and Distribution

Endemic to Egypt and the Levant, Withania obtusifolia grows as a sturdy perennial shrub in arid desert environments. The plant features distinctive obtuse leaves and small, greenish-yellow flowers. It has adapted to thrive under intense sunlight and minimal rainfall.

Taxonomy

∟ царство Plantae
∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
∟ Angiosperms
∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
∟ eudicots
∟ asterids
∟ order Solanales
∟ family Solanaceae
∟ subfamily Solanoideae
∟ tribe Physaleae
∟ genus Withania (ashwagandha)
∟ species Withania obtusifolia (Blunt-leaved ashwagandha)

Morphology

This species displays a branching shrubby growth habit, typically reaching heights of up to one meter. The leaves are characterized by their rounded, obtuse tips, which distinguish it from other members of the genus. The flowers feature a green, bell-shaped calyx that expands and becomes inflated, enclosing the developing fruit in a protective layer.

Flowering season

Spring to early summer

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Name

Dec

Interesting facts

The botanical name of this species, obtusifolia, refers directly to its blunt or rounded leaf tips. In its native habitats, the inflated calyx protects the fruit from the intense desert heat. This physiological adaptation helps the plant reproduce successfully in hyper-arid climates.

Geography of distribution

Egypt
Syria
Jordan
Israel
Lebanon
Palestine

Sources

POWO (2026). Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
WFO (2026). World Flora Online.
GBIF Secretariat (2026). Global Biodiversity Information Facility.