As we drew near the Chott Mellala, on the eastern edge of the barren zone mentioned in the preceding paragraph, we suddenly encountered a belt of _Ephedra alenda_, stretching to the north and to the south as far as could be seen (fig. 49). On one side was the barren zone, on the other the immense plantation. Upon examination it was found that the _Ephedra_ was the only species of perennial. It had several points of interest, but the short time at our disposal precluded more than a superficial examination. Usually keen about the desert species, it is curious to note that the Arabs appear not to recognize this, called by them “alenda,” as being related to the larger species of _Ephedra_ with which they are well acquainted. It is a small species, growing from 30 to 40 cm. high. It does not occur singly, but has the habit of growing in groups of a half dozen or more. Between the _Ephedra_ colonies were only the dried remains of the annual flora of the last rainy season. An examination of the root-system of the species showed that, like other species of the genus, it has a well-developed tap-root (fig. 50). _Alenda_, however, has a root-habit which, although not peculiar to it, is at least very striking and of great importance to its survival. From the root-crown a stolon arises which extends away from the parent for a distance of about a meter. From this stolon there arise shoots which develop into daughter plants. Through this method of reproduction the small colonies of the species are formed and possibly the species mainly multiplied. From the stolons small roots arise, giving aid to the mother root in providing the offspring with moisture. This habit is very like that of _Kœberlinia spinosa_ of the Arizona desert, which has a similar type of root-system and which reproduces vegetatively in a similar manner. _Alenda_ continued to be the dominant species until near the edge of the big chott (Mellala), a few kilometers east of where it was first seen.