Editing Khat (section)

== Description ==
[[File:Harar Chat qat.jpg|thumb|Khat leaves of [[Harar]]]]
Khat is a slow-growing [[shrub]] or tree that typically attains a height of {{convert|1-5|m|abbr=off|sp=us}}. However, it can reach heights of up to {{convert|10|m|abbr=on}} in equatorial areas. The plant usually grows in [[Desert climate|arid]] environments, at a temperature range of {{convert|5|-|35|C|F|abbr=off}}.<ref name="Pfgce">{{cite web|title=Growing Catha edulis |url=http://www.plot55.com/growing/c.edulis.html |publisher=Plot55 |access-date=26 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826115643/http://www.plot55.com/growing/c.edulis.html |archive-date=26 August 2013 }}</ref> It has [[evergreen]] [[Leaf|leaves]], which are {{convert|5–10|cm|abbr=off|sigfig=1|sp=us}} long and {{convert|1-4|cm|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} broad.

[[File:Qat tree,yemen.jpg|thumb|Qat tree, Yemen]]
It takes seven to eight years for the khat plant to reach its full height. Other than access to sun and water, khat requires little maintenance. Ground water is often pumped from deep wells by diesel engines to irrigate the crops, or brought in by water trucks. The plants are watered heavily starting around a month before they are harvested to make the leaves and stems soft and moist. A good khat plant can be harvested four times a year, providing a year-long source of income for the farmer.

The shrub's flowers are produced on short axillary [[Cyme (botany)#Determinate or Cymose|cymes]] that are {{convert|4-8|cm|abbr=on}} in length. Each flower is small, with five white petals.

The [[Samara (fruit)|samara]] fruit is an oblong, three-valved capsule, which contains one to three seeds.