Catha Edulis 'NL Khat' ~*

Catha Edulis or Khat is a flowering plant native to tropical East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Catha edulis appears to have originated in Ethiopia. It now occurs in Arabia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, the Congo, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa. Sir Richard Burton suggested that khat was introduced to the Yemen from Ethiopia in the 15th century, although this probably occurred much earlier. The ancient Egyptians considered the khat plant a "divine food" which was capable of releasing humanity's divinity. The Egyptians used the plant for more than its stimulating effects; they used it as a metamorphic process and transcended into "apotheosis", intending to make the user god-like. Khat has been grown for use as a stimulant for centuries in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. There, chewing khat predates the use of coffee and is used in a similar social context. Its fresh leaves and tops are chewed or, less frequently, dried and consumed as tea, in order to achieve a state of euphoria and stimulation; it also has anorectic side-effects. The leaves or the soft part of the stem can be chewed with either chewing gum or fried peanuts to make it easier to chew. Khat use has traditionally been confined to the regions where it is grown, because only the fresh leaves have the desired stimulating effects. In recent years, however, improved roads, off-road motor vehicles, and air transportation have increased the global distribution of this perishable commodity. Traditionally, khat has been used as a socializing drug, and this is still very much the case. Chewing khat is also part of the Yemeni business culture to promote decision-making, In other countries, khat is consumed largely by single individuals and at parties. It is mainly a recreational drug like Coffee, in the countries which grow khat, though it may also be used by farmers and laborers for reducing physical fatigue or hunger, and by drivers and students for improving attention. These are the Narrow Leaf variety, hence the 'NL'. Had these 2 for about 3 months or so. Don't like too much water, are very drought tolerant. Like full sun and have been fast growers over summer :)