vascular system of desrt plants
TRANSCRIPT
THE VASCULAR PLANTS OF ABU DHABI EMIRATE
Gary Brown & Sabitha Sakkir
Terrestrial Environment Research Centre
Environmental Research & Wildlife Development Agency
August 2004
ISSUE SHEET
Prepared and Dr Gary Brownsubmitted by: Sabitha Sakkir 30.08.2004
Checked and John Newbyapproved by:
Issue Status: Final
Purpose of Issue: Internal report, may be distributed externally
Team Members: Brown, Gary // Sakkir, Sabitha
Authorised by: Assistant Secretary General for Science and Research
Ref.: 03-31-0005 (Habitat Restoration Project)
REVISION SHEET
Revision no. Date Affected Date Change ByPages Made
version 1.2 15.09.2004 4, 5, 6, 19 15.09.2004 G.Brown
Authors’ addresses:
Dr Gary Brown & Sabitha Sakkir, ERWDA, TERC, PO Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, UAE
[email protected]; [email protected]
THE VASCULAR PLANTS OF ABU DHABI EMIRATE
Gary Brown & Sabitha Sakkir
THE VASCULAR PLANTS OF ABU DHABI EMIRATE
Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2. Environmental Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.1. Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.2. Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
2.3. Landforms and major habitat types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
3. Vegetation and flora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
3.1. Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
3.2. Flora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
3.3. Biogeography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
4. Threats to the vegetation and flora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Appendix 1: Checklist of the vascular flora of Abu Dhabi Emirate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
The Vascular Plants of AbuDhabi Emirate
1. Introduction
Covering an area of ca. 70 000 km2, Abu
Dhabi is the largest of the seven Emirates
that make up the United Arab Emirates
(Figure 1). Scientific work on the flora of
the region commenced only fairly recently,
with one of the first comprehensive publi-
cations dealing with the vascular plants of
the country being produced by Western
(1989).
The main objective of this report is to pro-
vide a provisional checklist of the vascular
plant species for Abu Dhabi Emirate. This
checklist will serve as a basis for further
studies and activities, including ultimately
the drawing up of a Red Data List, i.e. a list
of species that are either threatened or
potentially threatened. At present, there is
sparse information on the threat status of
plants in the Emirate, and in the country as
a whole.
In addition to providing a checklist of
species, an attempt has been made to
associate plant species with major habitat
types. Although not complete, this informa-
tion will serve several purposes, including
to indicate the ecological requirements of
plants, contribute to the development of
- 4 -
Figure 1. Map of Abu Dhabi Emirate showing important towns and locations. AA = Al Ain, AD =Abu Dhabi island, AH= Al Hayer, JD = Jebel Dhanna, JH = Jebel Hafit, Mi = Mirfa, Mz =MedinatZayed, RG = Ra’s Ghanadha, Ru = Ruwais, Si = Sila’a, Sw = Sweihan, Zi = Zirku.
species management and recovery plans,
provide direction to habitat restoration
efforts and to generally enhance science-
based conservation research. In short, this
will place the Emirate in a better position to
meets its commitments in respect of the
Convention on Biological Diversity, specifi-
cally the Global Strategy for Plant
Conservation.
Apart from our own field studies, this
checklist of species is based on work car-
ried out by Western (1989), Jongbloed et
al. (2000) and Jongbloed et al. (2003).
Specimens of many species are stored in
the ERWDA Herbarium.
Due to the general paucity of available
data, it is clear that information will need to
be updated on a regular basis. We there-
fore welcome any information and con-
structive comments that can contribute to
this process.
2. Environmental setting
2.1. Climate
The climate of most of the region is hot and
dry throughout most of the year, and
according to the UNEP classification of dry-
lands, can be regarded as hyperarid
(Middleton & Thomas, 1997). Along a nar-
row coastal strip, climatic conditions are
slightly less extreme, especially towards
the north-east. Arid to semi-arid conditions
occur in the Hajar Mountains in the far east
of the country, but outside of Abu Dhabi
Emirate. Temperatures are generally very
high during the summer (May to October),
with daytime values regularly exceeding 45
°C. At night they rarely drop below 30 °C.
Winters are cooler, but even at night, tem-
peratures below 5 °C are uncommon.
Mean annual temperatures are in the
region of 27 °C (Böer, 1997).
Rainfall varies considerably throughout the
Emirate, but the long-term annual mean is
about 90 mm for most of the area, includ-
ing Abu Dhabi island (see Böer, 1999).
Slightly higher precipitation amounts are
received towards the mountains in the
east, with a mean of about 100 mm in Al
Ain. The lowest rainfall (mean 46 mm)
occurs in the west of the Emirate. In Bu
Hasa (SW of Medinat Zayed), it was so low
that it was not even properly recordable
over a 12 year period. Even on the coast,
mean precipitation for Jebel Dhanna was
merely 46 mm over a 16-year period.
Furthermore, seasonal variation in rainfall
amounts is a pronounced feature. For
instance, over a 23-year observation peri-
od (1970-1992) in Al Ain, total annual rain-
fall ranged from 1 to 303 mm, (Böer, 1997).
- 5 -
Rainfall occurs mainly in the winter
months, but is possible at any time of the
year.
2.2. Soils
Due to the harsh climatic conditions, natu-
ral soils consist mostly of the little-altered
parent material. Sand sheets and sand
dunes cover large expanses of the
Emirate. Coastal sands are rich in calcium
carbonate, as they are derived from marine
organisms. Calcium-poor ‘red sands’ on
the other hand predominate in the interior.
Towards the mountains, gravels and more
rocky substrate become more apparent.
Gravelly substrate also occurs in many
north-western regions. Aeolionite expo-
sures are scattered throughout the
Emirate, especially in coastal areas.
Sabkha is a characteristic feature of many
coastal areas, often covering large areas.
Inland sabkha is also found on many inter-
dunal plains, especially in the Al Khatam
and Liwa areas (Brown, 2004). Biological
activity in the soils is very low, as they con-
tain virtually no organic material. As a con-
sequence, they are highly deficient in nitro-
gen, and are generally regarded as poor in
terms of nutrient status. Natural soil salini-
ty away from the coast is largely dependent
on the proximity of the water table to the
surface, and the extent to which flooding
takes place after heavy rainfall. In some
areas, soil salinity has increased in recent
years due to unsuitable irrigation practices,
ultimately leading to the abandonment of
agriculture.
2.3. Landforms and major habitattypes
A large proportion of Abu Dhabi Emirate is
covered by sand sheets and sand dunes,
with extensive gravelly plains found in the
north-west and north-east. Jebel Hafit,
located to the south of Al Ain, is the only
mountain to occur in the Emirate.
Using satellite imagery to analyse the
broad geomorphology of the Emirate, Böer
& Gliddon (1997) distinguished six major
geomorphological regions (Figure 2).
These are:
I. Al Khatam area
II. Umm Al Zamul-Sweihan area
III. Liwa
IV. Western & Central Desert
V. Al Ain region
VI. The Gulf (coastal) region
In general, these units are potentially of
great practical use for identifying and inter-
preting the distribution patterns of plant
- 6 -
species in the Emirate. For this reason,
they are retained, and should any refine-
ment be necessary, this can be carried out
when sufficient data have been collected.
Four major landform classes (sand sheets,
gravel plains, saline flats and mountains)
were used to develop a simplified landform
classification system for Abu Dhabi Emirate
and adjacent areas (Böer & Gliddon,
1997). These major classes were further
divided into a number of subclasses.
However, this categorisation has proved
unsatisfactory for a number of reasons, not
least because certain landform types are
missing, and also because of the terminol-
ogy, which is not always consistent with
standard usage. More appropriate to the
needs of conservation work is a list of
major habitat types, which combine land-
form, broad vegetation types and dominant
soil characteristics. We are presently com-
piling such a list for the Emirate.
Due to the current lack of data of sufficient
quality to assign many plant species to the
detailed categories used in the list of major
habitat types, a modified, more general
version has been adopted for this report
(see Appendix 1), differentiating eight main
categories, as well as a ninth to provide
information on the distribution status of
- 7 -
Figure 2. The six major geomorphological regions of Abu Dhabi Emirate recognised by Böer &Gliddon (1997).
plants on offshore islands, where data are
particularly scanty (see Appendix 1). The
nine categories are:
1. Coastal habitats
2. Sabkha
3. Sand sheets, dunes and mega dunes
4. Alluvial and interdunal plains
5. Mountains, rocky terrain and wadis
6. Inland water habitats
7. Oases, farmland, plantations
8. Urban habitats
9. Offshore islands
Coastal habitat types encompass a wide
variety of different habitats, including mud-
flats, lagoons, sandy and rocky beaches,
coastal cliffs, coastal plains, sand sheets
and low dunes. All are influenced to a cer-
tain degree by elevated salinity levels in
the substrate, with the exception of coastal
sand sheets and low dunes, where salinity
is not always a determining environmental
factor. Coastal white sands, a highly dis-
tinct habitat type (Figure 3), are also
included here.
Sabkha is developed in both coastal areas
and inland on interdunal plains. In this
highly saline environment, plant species,
almost invariably halophytes, tend to be
limited to the margins of it, or on thin layers
of sand that accumulate locally on the sur-
face (Figure 4, see also Brown, 2004).
- 8 -
Figure 3. Coastal white sands are species-rich habitats of outstanding conservationvalue. The tall grass in the foreground is Halopyrum mucronatum (see also Figure 10),known only from several locations in Abu Dhabi Emirate, here near Ra’s Ghanadha.
- 9 -
Figure 4. Coastal sabkha is often devoid of vegetation (background), but where there is athin veneer of sand on the surface, halophytes, in this case Halopeplis perfoliata(Chenopodiaceae), can form extensive stands.
Figure 5. Dunes cover a substantial percentage of Abu Dhabi Emirate. One of the mostcommon species found in such habitats is the sedge Cyperus conglomeratus.
Sand sheets, dunes (Figure 5) and mega-
dunes occupy by far the largest land area
of the Emirate, and are usually colonised
by dwarf shrubs (Figure 6, see also Figure
16), graminoids, or even trees (see Figure
15), the latter particularly in some eastern
regions.
As a broad and convenient generalisation,
it is possible to differentiate between allu-
vial and interdunal plains. Alluvial plains
are developed over large expanses in the
east of the Emirate towards the Hajar
Mountains, and have a coarse gravelly to
rocky substrate. They are also found in
some western parts, especially towards the
coast, where the substrate tends to be
somewhat finer. Interdunal plains are
developed between the numerous dune
fields in many parts of the Emirate. In the
context of this report, this category refers to
non-saline (at best slightly saline) plains,
- 10 -
Figure 6. Dipterygium glaucum(Capparaceae) is a widespread dwarf shrubfound on sand sheets and dunes.
Figure 7. Haloxylon salicornicum (Chenopodiaceae) is a characteristic dwarf shrub ofinterdunal plains and low sand dunes, especially in the northern half of the Emirate.
as sabkha, which is also developed on
some interdunal plains (especially in the
Liwa, Al Khatam areas), is treated sepa-
rately under ‘Sabkha’.
The category ”Mountains, rocky terrain and
wadis” covers the rocky mountain slopes of
Jebel Hafit, but also Tertiary ‘jebels’ (rocky
exposures characteristic of some coastal
and inland areas), escarpments, large
areas of aeolionite, etc. Wadis are general-
ly associated with Jebel Hafit (Figure 8),
although some large wadi beds extend into
the plains, especially in the vicinity of Al
Ain.
Some oases are natural landscape fea-
tures, others are distinctly anthropogenic,
but due to their floristic similarities, they are
treated as one category together with plan-
tations and agricultural land.
Urban habitats refers specifically to anthro-
pogenic types commonly associated with
larger towns and cities, such as parks,
roadside verges, etc.
As already mentioned, offshore islands,
which encompass most of the habitat types
listed above, are treated in a separate cat-
egory.
- 11 -
Figure 8. Acacia tortilis (Mimosaceae) is the physiognomically dominant species of allu-vial plains and rocky slopes in the eastern part of the Emirate, such as here in WadiTarabat (Jebel Hafit).
3. Vegetation and flora
3.1. Vegetation
The vegetation of the UAE, as with the
Arabian Peninsula in general, has received
relatively little attention. Initial or partial
attempts to classify the vegetation of the
Emirate have been carried out by Western
(1989), Roshier et al. (1996) and Böer &
Gliddon (1997). Useful as they are, they
remain incomplete, and a more rigorous
approach is required taking the whole
country and – if possible – adjacent regions
into consideration. The lack of knowledge
on the vegetation can possibly be attrib-
uted to a number of reasons, including
general problems associated with regions
with sparse vegetation cover, the paucity of
suitable indicator species for classification,
the lack of experts, problems in the past
with accessibility to many parts of the
desert and also the climate. For instance,
the vegetation may appear dead in dry
years, when it is in fact dormant, but
species in a state or dormancy can be
extremely difficult to identify without experi-
ence. Also, annual species and short-lived
perennials can remain as seed in the
ground for decades, germinating and pro-
ducing visible plants only under favourable
rainfall conditions. These species are even
more difficult to record.
- 12 -
Figure 9. Euphorbia larica (Euphorbiaceae) is restricted to alluvial plains and rocky slopesin the eastern part of the Emirate, and is common on Jebel Hafit.
In general, vegetation cover is sparse due
to the harsh environmental conditions.
Cover values for most inland vegetation
types are less than 5 %, usually ranging
from 1 to 2 %.
3.2. Flora
On the basis of present information,
obtained from a variety of sources as well
as our own fieldwork, the UAE is home to
around 800 species of higher plants which
are either native or have become natu-
ralised. Of these, roughly 400 species are
known for Abu Dhabi Emirate, and they
represent 255 genera and 62 families.
Apart from ferns and the genus Ephedra,
all native plants are angiosperms. In terms
of species number, the best represented
families are the Poaceae (69), Fabaceae
(34), Asteraceae (28) and
Chenopodiaceae (27). Some families with
fewer species, such as the Cyperaceae
(e.g. Cyperus conglomeratus),
Mimosaceae (e.g. Acacia tortilis, Prosopis
cineraria), Verbenaceae (e.g. Avicennia
marina) and Zygophyllaceae (e.g.
Zygophyllum qatarense) are of particular
ecological significance due the dominance
of individual representatives in the vegeta-
tion.
Taxonomic confusion surrounds a number
of groups in the Emirate and region as a
whole. Examples of more common critical
groups in Abu Dhabi Emirate include the
genera Tamarix, Tribulus and Zygophyllum.
Only detailed research by specialists will
help shed light on the true status of these
taxa. Some footnotes are given in the
species list (Appendix 1) where there are
marked contrasts to prevailing opinions.
Most perennial species in the flora of Abu
Dhabi are xerophytes, i.e. plants that can
- 13 -
Figure 10. The Poaceae (true grasses) arethe most species-rich family in the Emirate,but some species, such as Halopyrummucronatum (see also Figure 3), are veryrare and local.
- 14 -
Figure 11. Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Asclepiadaceae) is a good example of a perennialshrub which soon loses its leaves to reduce transpirational water-loss. Photosynthesis iscarried out by the whip-like branches.
Figure 12. Cynomorium coccineum(Cynomoriaceae) is a widespread parasite,particularly in coastal areas.
Figure 13. Cistanche tubulosa(Orobanchaceae) is a common parasite inthe northern part of the Emirate. Its hostplants include various chenopods andZygophyllum qatarense.
grow in very dry conditions and are able to
withstand long periods of drought. Typical
adaptations include the ability to store large
amounts of water in their stems and leaves
(succulents), waxy, reflective leaves,
reduction of leaf size to avoid water loss
through transpiration (see Figure 11) and
deep-rooting systems. Halophytes (plants
that are adapted morphologically and/or
physiologically to grow in salt-rich soils and
salt-laden air) and psammophytes (plants
adapted to grow in loose, often nutrient-
poor sand) are also important elements of
the flora. Desert annuals, i.e. plants that
complete their life-cycle rapidly during peri-
ods when conditions are favourable for
growth and reproduction, surviving extend-
ed periods of drought as seed, are typical
stress-evaders, and constitute a significant
part of the flora of the Emirate. In contrast,
hygrophytes (plant that are adapted mor-
phologically and / or physiologically to
growing in water or very wet environments)
are barely represented.
There are only several parasitic plant
species in the Emirate, and two of these
are shown in Figures 12 and 13.
The relationship between the occurrence of
certain dominant perennial desert plants
and soil parameters, such as salinity, grain
size and surface hardness, has been
investigated by Böer & Sargeant (1998).
Some of these species are undoubtedly
useful indicators of specific soil conditions,
but more in-depth studies are required.
3.3. Biogeography
A first phytogeographical division of the
Middle East was produced by Zohary
(1973), which more recently has been
slightly modified (Léonard, 1989). In accor-
dance with the latter author, Abu Dhabi
Emirate lies within the Saharo-Sindian
regional zone. This phytochorion can be
further divided into two subzones, which,
however, are not sharply delimited. The
Nubo-Sindian local centre of endemism is
restricted to a narrow coastal belt in the
Emirate, whereas inland areas fall within
the Arabian regional subzone. The Nubo-
Sindian phytochorion corresponds to the
Sudanian region of Zohary (1973), where-
as the Arabian regional subzone covers
largely the same area as Zohary's Saharo-
Arabian region.
Typical genera of the Arabian regional sub-
zone include, amongst others, Medicago,
Ononis, Spergularia and Silene. These are
largely derived from a Mediterranean
stock, with Astragalus, Calligonum and var-
ious chenopods as Irano-Turanian deriva-
tives.
- 15 -
Characteristic of the Nubo-Sindian local
centre of endemism, which is well devel-
oped in the east of the Emirate, extending
some way inland, is a xero-tropical vegeta-
tion in which trees play an important role. In
Abu Dhabi Emirate and eastern Arabia in
general, Acacia tortilis is a prominent ele-
ment restricted to this region. Other char-
acteristic taxa include Calotropis procera,
Capparis spp., Cleome spp., Cymbopogon
spp., Halopeplis perfoliata, Indigofera spp.,
Lasiurus scindicus (Figure 14), Launaea
spp., Leptadenia pyrotechnica (see Figure
11), Panicum turgidum, Pennisetum divi-
sum, Periploca aphylla, Salvadora persica
and Tephrosia spp.
- 16 -
Figure 14. Lasiurus scindicus (Poaceae)occurs mainly in coastal areas, occasionallyfurther inland such as near Jebel Hafit.
Figure 15. Prosopis cineraria (‘ghaf’) is a good example of an Omano-Makranian ele-ment, and is restricted to the eastern part of the UAE. In Abu Dhabi, it occurs mainly onlow sand dunes , especially in the Sweihan - Al Hayer - Al Ain - Al Khatam area.
Furthermore, many taxa in the Emirate
show floristic links to the Makran in south-
ern Iran and also to Pakistan. These are
referred to as ‘Omano-Makranian’ ele-
ments (Kürschner, 1986). The natural
western distribution limits of a number of
these species are the Hajar Mountains,
including Jebel Hafit. Good examples
include Gaillonia aucheri, Physorrhynchus
chamaerapistrum, Pseudogaillonia
hymenostephana and Tephrosia apollinea.
Others, for example, Prosopis cineraria
('ghaf' - Figure 15), have managed to
extend their natural range slightly further
westwards, not quite reaching Abu Dhabi
Island. Cornulaca aucheri, Salsola drum-
mondii and Sphaerocoma aucheri occur as
far west as the Saudi Arabian border, or
even beyond.
Within the Emirate, even away the moun-
tains, there are subtle differences in the cli-
matic conditions which have a marked
effect on the distribution of plant species.
The flora of coastal white dunes is a good
example, which becomes increasingly
poorer in species from Dubai to Abu Dhabi
island. This is probably due to a slight
decrease in rainfall and possibly marginal-
ly higher winter temperatures towards the
south-west.
- 17 -
Figure 16. Haloxylon persicum (Chenopodiaceae) is of considerable biogeographicalinterest, as the species is restricted to a narrow coastal belt immediately to the south andsouth-west of Abu Dhabi island. The stands here, covering an area of ca. 2000 km2, areof outstanding conservation value (see Aspinall & Hellyer, 2003; Brown & Böer, 2004).
4. Threats to the vegetation andflora
The majority of the population of Abu Dhabi
lives in the larger towns and cities.
Extensive tracts of the natural desert envi-
ronment are therefore virtually uninhabited.
However, this does not mean that there
have been no anthropogenic impacts in
these areas. Böer (1999) has highlighted
those factors that are the prime cause of
habitat loss and degradation in the
Emirate.
Overgrazing by ever-expanding livestock
numbers has had a serious effect on the
natural vegetation, as underlined by Böer &
Norton (1996), with palatable species such
as perennial grasses and dwarf shrubs
being particularly badly hit. In combination
with the recent cycle of dry years, some of
these species are likely to become severe-
ly reduced in their population size for
years. A good example of a former domi-
nant species in the north-eastern part of
the Emirate that has all but disappeared
from its primary habitat due to overgrazing
is Rhanterium epapposum, a species of
sand sheets (see Western, 1989). The
decline of this and other species has not
been without repercussions, as they often
fulfil important ecological roles. In the case
of Rhanterium, the plants stabilise sand
sheets and therefore prevent certain
aspects of desertification, in particular soil
erosion. Furthermore, other species, espe-
cially insects, that are associated with, or
even dependent on the plants are also like-
ly to have suffered declines in their popula-
tions. Conversely, there has been an
increase in non-palatable species such as
Zygophyllum qatarense and Rhazya stric-
ta. Communities dominated by these
perennials tend to be less diverse.
The recent trend towards forestry and agri-
cultural development has also had nega-
tive impacts, both directly and indirectly, on
the natural environment in some areas.
Apart from the direct effects of habitat loss
and fragmentation, groundwater abstrac-
tion and the ensuing lowering of the
groundwater table have had serious conse-
quences for the natural vegetation locally,
leading, for instance, to the death of ghaf
(Prosopis cineraria) trees.
Coastal areas have suffered enormously in
recent years, mostly from massive devel-
opment. Urgent action is required to pro-
tect some of the larger remaining areas
with intact vegetation from ultimate
destruction.
- 18 -
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank ERWDA manage-
ment for support of this work. Dr. Richard
Perry (ERWDA) kindly commented on a
draft version of this manuscript. We are
also grateful to Dr. Abdul Nasser Al Gifri
(Zayed Complex for Herbal Research and
Traditional Medicine (ZCHRTM)) for infor-
mation on a number of species and access
to the ZCHRTM Herbarium. We are also
grateful to Rashid Al Mansouri for expert
desert driving.
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Raunkiaer, C. (1934): The Life Forms ofPlants and Statistical Plant Geography. -Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Roshier, D.A., Böer, B.B. & Osborne, P.E.(1996): Vegetation of Abu Dhabi and apreliminary classification of its plant
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associations. - In: Osborne, P.E. (ed.):Desert Ecology of Abu Dhabi. PiscesPublications. pp. 50-65.
Western, A.R. (1989): The Flora of theUnited Arab Emirates – An Introduction.- United Arab Emirates University. 188pp.
Zohary, M. (1973): GeobotanicalFoundations of the Middle East. -Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart. 739pp.
- 20 -
App
endi
x 1.
Che
cklis
t of t
he v
ascu
lar f
lora
of A
bu D
habi
Em
irate
. The
list
con
tain
s al
l nat
ive
and
natu
ralis
ed s
peci
es c
urre
ntly
kno
wn
to o
ccur
in A
buD
habi
Em
irate
. Abb
revi
atio
ns o
f life
-form
s (in
acc
orda
nce
with
Rau
nkia
er, 1
934)
and
hab
itats
are
giv
en a
t the
end
.
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
Aca
ntha
ceae
1B
leph
aris
cili
aris
(L.)
B.L
. Bur
ttC
hx
2P
eris
troph
e pa
nicu
lata
(For
ssk.
) Bru
mm
itTh
x
Adi
anta
ceae
3C
helia
nthe
s sp
.H
ex
Aiz
oace
ae4
Aiz
oon
cana
riens
eL.
Thx
xx
5M
esem
brya
nthe
mum
nod
iflor
umL.
Thx
6S
esuv
ium
por
tula
cast
rum
L.
Ch
x7
Ses
uviu
m s
esuv
ioid
es (F
enzl
) Ver
de
Ch
x8
Ses
uviu
m v
erru
cosu
mR
af.
Ch
x9
Zale
ya p
enta
ndra
(L.)
C. J
effre
yTh
/ C
hx
x
Am
aran
thac
eae
10A
chyr
anth
es a
sper
aL.
Ch
x11
Aer
va ja
vani
ca (B
urm
. f.)
Juss
. ex
Sch
ul.
Ch
xx
12A
mar
anth
us a
lbus
L.Th
x13
Am
aran
thus
gra
eciz
ans
L.Th
x14
Am
aran
thus
hyb
ridus
L.Th
xx
15A
mar
anth
us s
pino
sus
L.Th
x16
Am
aran
thus
viri
dis
L.Th
x17
Dig
era
mur
icat
a(L
.) M
ast.
Thx
- 21 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
Api
acea
e18
Am
mi m
ajus
L.
Thx
x19
Duc
rosi
a an
ethi
folia
(DC
.) B
oiss
.C
hx
xx
Apo
cyna
ceae
20N
eriu
m o
lean
derL
.P
hx
x21
Rha
zya
stric
ta D
ecne
.C
hx
x
Are
cace
ae22
Nan
orrh
ops
ritch
iean
a(G
riffit
h) A
itch.
Ch
x23
Pho
enix
dac
tylif
era
L.P
hx
x
Aris
tolo
chia
ceae
24A
risto
loch
ia b
ract
eola
taLa
m.
Ch
/ Th
xx
Asc
lepi
adac
eae
25C
alot
ropi
s pr
ocer
a(A
iton)
W.T
. Aito
nP
hx
x26
Car
allu
ma
arab
ica
N.E
. Br.
Ch
x27
Glo
sson
ema
varia
ns(S
tock
s) J
.D. H
ook.
Th /
He
x28
Lept
aden
ia p
yrot
echn
ica
(For
ssk.
) Dec
ne.
Ph
xx
x29
Pen
tatro
pis
niva
lis (J
.F. G
mel
.)Li
x30
Per
gula
ria to
men
tosa
L.
Lix
xx
31P
erip
loca
aph
ylla
Dec
ne.
Ch
x
Asp
hode
lace
ae32
Asp
hode
lus
tenu
ifoliu
s (C
av.)
Bak
er
Ge
xx
Ast
erac
eae
33A
nvill
ea g
arci
nii(
Bur
m. f
.) D
C.
Ch
xx
34A
ster
iscu
s hi
eroc
hunt
icus
(Mic
hon)
Wik
.Th
x
- 22 -
- 23 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
35A
tract
ylis
car
duus
(For
ssk.
) C. C
hr.
Thx
xx
36C
arth
amus
oxy
cant
hus
M. B
ieb.
Thx
37C
arth
amus
tinc
toriu
s L.
Thx
38C
enta
urea
pse
udos
inai
caC
zere
p.Th
xx
39C
onyz
a bo
narie
nsis
(L.)
Cro
nq.
Thx
40E
chin
ops
sp. (
a)H
ex
41Fi
lago
des
orto
rum
Pom
elTh
x42
Flav
eria
trin
ervi
a (S
pren
g.) M
ohr
Thx
x43
Gym
narr
hena
mic
rant
ha D
esf.
Thx
44H
elic
hrys
um g
lum
aceu
mD
C.
Ch
x45
Hel
ichr
ysum
mak
rani
cum
(Rec
h. f.
& E
sfan
d.) R
ech.
f.H
ex
46Ifl
oga
spic
ata
(For
ssk.
) Will
d.Th
x47
Iphi
ona
auch
eri (
Boi
ss.)
A. A
nder
sC
hx
x48
Iphi
ona
horr
ida
Boi
ss.
Ch
x49
Iphi
ona
scab
raD
ecne
.C
hx
50K
oelp
inia
line
aris
Pal
l.Th
xx
x51
Laun
aea
capi
tata
(Spr
eng.
) Dan
dyTh
x52
Laun
aea
muc
rona
ta (F
orss
k.) M
usch
l.C
hx
53La
unae
a nu
dica
ulis
(L.)
Hoo
k. f.
Ch
x54
Laun
aea
proc
umbe
ns (R
oxb.
) Ram
. & R
aj.
Ch
xx
55La
unae
a sp
inos
a (F
orss
k.) S
ch. B
ip.
Ch
x56
Pha
gnal
on v
iridi
foliu
m D
ecne
. C
hx
57P
luch
ea d
iosc
orid
is(L
.) D
C.
Ch
x58
Pse
udog
naph
aliu
m lu
teoa
lbum
(L.)
H. &
B.
Ch
x59
Pul
icar
ia e
dmon
dson
ii G
amal
-Eld
inC
hx
60P
ulic
aria
glu
tinos
aJa
ub. &
Spa
chC
hx
x61
Pul
icar
ia u
ndul
ata
(L.)
C.A
. Mey
er
Ch
x62
Rei
char
dia
tingi
tana
(L.)
Rot
hC
hx
63R
hant
eriu
m e
papp
osum
Oliv
.C
hx
xx
64S
corz
oner
a to
rtuos
issi
ma
Boi
ss.
Ch
x65
Sen
ecio
flav
us (D
ecne
.) S
ch. B
ip.
Thx
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
66S
enec
io g
lauc
us L
. ssp
. cor
onop
ifoliu
s(M
aire
) Al.
Thx
67S
onch
us o
lera
ceus
L.Th
x68
Uro
sper
mum
pic
roid
es(L
.) F.
W. S
chm
idt
Thx
69Ve
rnon
ia a
rabi
ca F
.G. D
avie
sC
hx
Avic
enni
acea
e70
Avic
enni
a m
arin
a (F
orss
k.) V
ierh
.P
hx
Bor
agin
acea
e71
Arn
ebia
his
pidi
ssim
a (L
ehm
.) D
C.
Thx
x72
Ech
ioch
ilon
juga
tum
I.M
. Joh
nst.
Ch
x73
Ech
ioch
ilon
pers
icum
(Bur
m. f
.) I.M
. Joh
nst.
Ch
x74
Ech
ioch
ilon
thes
iger
i I.M
. Joh
nst.
Ch
x75
Hel
iotro
pium
bac
cife
rum
Fors
sk.
Ch
xx
xx
76H
elio
tropi
um c
alca
reum
Stoc
ks.
Ch
xx
x77
Hel
iotro
pium
cur
assa
vicu
mL.
Ch
x78
Hel
iotro
pium
dig
ynum
(For
ssk.
) C
hx
79H
elio
tropi
um la
sioc
arpu
mFi
sch.
& M
ey.
Thx
80M
oltk
iops
is c
iliat
a(F
orss
k.) I
.M. J
ohns
t.C
h x
x81
Tric
hosd
esm
a en
etot
richu
mR
.R. M
illTh
x
Bra
ssic
acea
e82
Ana
stat
ica
hier
ochu
ntic
aL.
Thx
xx
83B
rass
ica
tour
nefo
rtii G
ouan
Thx
84C
apse
lla b
ursa
-pas
toris
(L.)
Med
ik.
Thx
85C
arda
ria d
raba
(L.)
Des
v.Th
x86
Cor
onop
us d
idym
us (L
.) S
m.
Thx
x87
Dip
lota
xis
harr
a (F
orss
k.) B
oiss
.Th
x88
Ere
mob
ium
aeg
yptia
cum
(Spr
eng.
) Boi
ss.
Thx
89E
ruca
sat
iva
Mill
.Th
x
- 24 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
90Fa
rset
ia a
egyp
tia T
urra
Ch
x91
Fars
etia
line
aris
Dec
ne. e
x B
oiss
.C
hx
xx
92Fa
rset
ia lo
ngis
iliqu
a D
ecne
.C
hx
93Fa
rset
ia s
tylo
sa R
. Br.
Th /
Ch
xx
94M
alco
mia
afri
cana
(L.)
R. B
r.C
hx
95M
oret
tia p
arvi
flora
Boi
ss.
Thx
x96
Phy
sorr
hync
hus
cham
aera
pist
rum
Boi
ss.
Ch
xx
97R
orip
pa p
alus
tris
(L.)
Bes
ser
Thx
98S
avig
nya
parv
iflor
a (D
elile
) Web
bTh
xx
x99
Sis
ymbr
ium
ery
sim
oide
s D
esf.
Thx
x
Cae
salp
inia
ceae
100
Sen
na it
alic
aM
ill.
Ch
xx
x
Cap
para
ceae
101
Cap
paris
car
tilag
inea
Dec
ne.
Ch
xx
102
Cap
paris
spi
nosa
L.C
hx
x10
3C
leom
e am
blyo
carp
aB
arr.
& M
urb.
Th /
Ch
xx
104
Cle
ome
aust
roar
abic
a D
.F.C
.&
Lam
. ssp
. mus
cate
nsis
D.F
.C. &
Lam
.C
hx
105
Cle
ome
brac
hyca
rpa
Vahl
ex
DC
.C
hx
x10
6C
leom
e no
eana
Boi
ss.
Th /
Ch
x10
7C
leom
e ru
pico
laVi
cary
Ch
xx
108
Dip
tery
gium
gla
ucum
Dec
ne.
Ch
xx
Car
yoph
ylla
ceae
109
Com
etes
sur
atte
nsis
L.Th
x11
0D
iant
hus
cyri
Fisc
h. &
C.A
. Mey
.Th
x11
1G
ymno
carp
os d
ecan
drus
For
ssk.
Ch
xx
112
Gyp
soph
ila b
ellid
ifolia
Boi
ss.
Thx
x
- 25 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
113
Her
niar
ia h
emis
tem
onJ.
Gay
Thx
xx
114
Par
onyc
hia
arab
ica
(L.)
DC
.Th
xx
115
Pol
ycar
paea
repe
ns(F
orss
k.) A
sch.
& S
ch.
Ch
xx
x11
6P
olyc
arpa
ea s
pica
ta W
ight
ex
Arn
.Th
xx
117
Scl
eroc
epha
lus
arab
icus
Boi
ss.
Thx
xx
118
Sile
ne a
reno
sa C
. Koc
hTh
x11
9S
ilene
vill
osa
Fors
sk.
Thx
120
Spe
rgul
a fa
llax
(Low
e) E
.H.L
. Kra
use
Thx
xx
121
Spe
rgul
aria
dia
ndra
(Gus
s.) B
oiss
. Th
x12
2S
perg
ular
ia m
arin
a (L
.) B
essl
erTh
xx
123
Sph
aero
com
a au
cher
iBoi
ss.
Ch
xx
x12
4St
ella
ria m
edia
(L.)
Vill.
Th
x
Che
nopo
diac
eae
125
Agr
ioph
yllu
m m
inus
Fis
ch. &
C.A
. Mey
.Th
xx
126
Ana
basi
s se
tifer
aM
oq.
Ch
xx
x12
7A
rthro
cnem
um m
acro
stac
hyum
(Mor
ic.)
K. K
och
Ch
x12
8A
tripl
ex le
ucoc
lada
Boi
ss.
Ch
x12
9B
assi
a m
uric
ata
(L.)
Asc
h.Th
/ C
hx
130
Bet
a vu
lgar
is L
.Th
x13
1B
iene
rtia
cycl
opte
raB
unge
ex
Boi
ss.
Thx
x13
2C
heno
podi
um a
lbum
L.Th
x13
3C
heno
podi
um m
ural
eL.
Thx
xx
134
Cor
nula
ca a
rabi
ca B
otsc
h. (b
)C
hx
135
Cor
nula
ca a
uche
riM
oq.
Th /
Ch
x13
6C
ornu
laca
mon
acan
tha
Del
ileC
hx
xx
137
Hal
ocne
mum
stro
bila
ceum
(Pal
l.) M
. Bie
b.C
hx
138
Hal
opep
lis p
erfo
liata
(For
ssk.
) Bun
ex
As.
Ch
xx
139
Hal
otha
mnu
s bo
ttae
Jaub
. & S
pach
Ch
xx
140
Hal
oxyl
on p
ersi
cum
Bun
geP
hx
- 26 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
141
Hal
oxyl
on s
alic
orni
cum
(Mo.
) Bun
. ex
Boi
ss.
Ch
xx
x14
2S
alic
orni
a eu
ropa
eaL.
Thx
143
Sal
sola
ara
bica
Bot
sch.
(c)
Ch
x14
4S
also
la c
yclo
phyl
laB
aker
Ch
x14
5S
also
la d
rum
mon
diiU
lbr.
Ch
xx
x14
6S
also
la im
bric
ata
Fors
sk.
Th /
Ch
xx
xx
x14
7S
also
la ru
besc
ens
Fran
ch.
Ch
xx
xx
148
Sal
sola
sch
wei
nfur
thii
Sol
ms-
Laub
.C
hx
149
Sal
sola
tetra
ndra
For
ssk.
Ch
x15
0S
eidl
itzia
rosm
arin
usE
hren
b. e
x B
unge
Ch
xx
x15
1S
uaed
a ae
gypt
iaca
(Has
sel.)
Zoh
.Th
/ C
hx
xx
152
Sua
eda
verm
icul
ata
Fors
sk. e
x J.
F. G
mel
.C
hx
xx
Cis
tace
ae15
3H
elia
nthe
mum
kah
iricu
mD
elile
Ch
x15
4H
elia
nthe
mum
lipp
ii (L
.) D
um. C
ours
.C
hx
xx
xx
Con
volv
ulac
eae
155
Con
volv
ulus
aca
ntho
clad
usB
oiss
.C
hx
156
Con
volv
ulus
arv
ensi
s L.
Ch
xx
157
Con
volv
ulus
cep
halo
podu
sB
oiss
.C
hx
x15
8C
onvo
lvul
us g
lom
erat
us C
hois
yC
hx
159
Con
volv
ulus
pilo
selli
foliu
s D
esr.
Ch
xx
160
Con
volv
ulus
pro
stra
tus
Fors
sk.
Ch
xx
161
Con
volv
ulus
virg
atus
Boi
ss.
Ch
xx
x16
2C
ress
a cr
etic
aL.
Ch
xx
x16
3C
uscu
ta p
lani
flora
Ten
.Li
(P)
xx
x16
4Ip
omoe
a aq
uatic
a Fo
rssk
.Th
x
- 27 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
Cuc
urbi
tace
ae16
5C
itrul
lus
colo
cynt
his
(L.)
Sch
rad.
Th /
He
x16
6C
ucum
is p
roph
etar
um L
.Th
xx
Cyn
omor
iace
ae16
7C
ynom
oriu
m c
occi
neum
L.
Ch
(P)
xx
x
Cyp
erac
eae
168
Bol
bosc
hoen
us m
ariti
ma
(L.)
Pal
la
Ge
xx
169
Cla
dium
mar
iscu
s (L
.) P
ohl
Ge
x17
0C
yper
us a
rena
rius
Ret
z.G
e x
x17
1C
yper
us c
ongl
omer
atus
Rot
tb.
Ge
x17
2C
yper
us la
evig
atus
L.
Ge
x17
3C
yper
us ro
tund
us L
.G
e x
xx
174
Fim
brys
tilis
sp.
(d)
He
x
Ephe
drac
eae
175
Eph
edra
folia
ta B
oiss
. ex
C.A
. Mey
. Li
xx
Euph
orbi
acea
e17
6C
hroz
opho
ra o
blon
gifo
lia(D
elile
) Spr
eng.
Ch
xx
177
Eup
horb
ia g
ranu
lata
Fors
sk.
Thx
xx
178
Eup
horb
ia h
elio
scop
iaL.
Thx
179
Eup
horb
ia h
eter
ophy
llaL.
Thx
180
Eup
horb
ia h
irta
L.Th
x18
1E
upho
rbia
indi
ca L
am.
Thx
182
Eup
horb
ia la
rica
Boi
ss.
Ch
xx
183
Eup
horb
ia p
eplu
s L.
Thx
184
Eup
horb
ia p
rost
rata
Ait.
Thx
185
Eup
horb
ia s
erpe
ns K
unth
Thx
186
Phy
llant
hus
rotu
ndifo
lius
Will
d.Th
x
- 28 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
187
Ric
inus
com
mun
is L
.P
hx
x
Faba
ceae
188
Alh
agi g
raec
orum
Boi
ss.
Ph
xx
189
Arg
yrol
obiu
m ro
seum
(Cam
.) Ja
ub. &
Spa
ch.
Thx
x19
0A
stra
galu
s an
nula
ris F
orss
k.Th
xx
191
Ast
raga
lus
erem
ophi
lus
Boi
ss.
Thx
192
Ast
raga
lus
haua
rens
is B
oiss
.Th
x19
3A
stra
galu
s sc
him
peri
Boi
ss.
Thx
194
Cro
tala
ria a
egyp
tiaca
Ben
th.
Ch
xx
x19
5C
rota
laria
per
sica
(Bur
m. f
.) M
erril
lC
hx
196
Hip
pocr
epis
are
olat
aD
esv.
Thx
x19
7H
ippo
crep
is c
onst
ricta
Kun
zeTh
xx
x19
8In
digo
fera
ara
bica
Bur
m. f
.C
hx
xx
199
Indi
gofe
ra a
rgen
tea
L.C
hx
200
Indi
gofe
ra a
rticu
lata
Gou
anC
hx
201
Indi
gofe
ra c
aeru
lea
Rox
b.C
hx
202
Indi
gofe
ra c
olut
ea(B
urm
. f.)
Mer
rill
Ch
x20
3In
digo
fera
intri
cata
Boi
ss.
Ch
x20
4In
digo
fera
obl
ongi
folia
Bor
ssk.
Ch
xx
205
Loto
noni
s pl
atyc
arpa
(Viv.
) Pic
.-Ser
m.
Thx
xx
206
Lotu
s ga
rcin
ii D
C.
Ch
x20
7Lo
tus
halo
philu
sB
oiss
. & S
prun
erTh
xx
208
Lotu
s sp
. (e)
Ch
x20
9M
edic
ago
laci
niat
a(L
.) M
ill.
Thx
210
Med
icag
o po
lym
orph
a L.
Thx
211
Mel
ilotu
s al
ba M
edik
.Th
x21
2M
elilo
tus
indi
ca (L
.) A
ll.Th
x21
3O
noni
s se
rrat
aFo
rssk
.Th
x21
4R
hync
hosi
a m
inim
a (L
.) D
C.
Ch
x
- 29 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
215
Rhy
ncho
sia
schi
mpe
ri H
ochs
t. &
Boi
ss.
Ch
x21
6Ta
vern
iera
gla
bra
Boi
ss.
Ch
xx
217
Tave
rnie
ra la
ppac
ea(F
orss
k.) D
C.
Ch
x21
8Ta
vern
iera
spa
rtea
(Bur
m. f
.) D
C.
Ch
x21
9Te
phro
sia
apol
linea
(Del
ile) D
C.
Ch
xx
x22
0Te
phro
sia
nubi
ca (B
oiss
.) B
aker
Ch
xx
221
Teph
rosi
a un
iflor
a P
ers.
Ch
x22
2Tr
igon
ella
ham
osa
L.Th
xx
Fran
keni
acea
e22
3Fr
anke
nia
pulv
erul
enta
L.Th
xx
x
Ger
ania
ceae
224
Ero
dium
laci
niat
um (C
av.)
Will
d.Th
xx
225
Ero
dium
mal
acoi
des
(L.)
L'H
ér.
Thx
226
Ger
aniu
m m
asca
tens
e B
oiss
.Th
xx
227
Mon
soni
a he
liotro
pioi
des
(Cav
.) B
oiss
.C
hx
228
Mon
soni
a ni
vea
(Dec
ne.)
Web
bC
hx
x
Hyd
roch
arita
ceae
229
Hal
ophi
la s
tipul
acea
(For
ssk.
) Asc
hers
Ch
x
Junc
acea
e23
0Ju
ncus
rigi
dus
Des
f.G
ex
x
Lam
iace
ae23
1La
vand
ula
subn
uda
Ben
th.
Ch
x23
2Le
ucas
infla
taB
enth
.Th
x
233
Sal
via
aegy
ptia
caL.
Th /
Ch
x
- 30 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
234
Sal
via
mac
ilent
aB
oiss
.C
hx
x23
5S
alvi
a sp
inos
a L.
He
x23
6Te
ucriu
m s
tock
sian
um B
oiss
.C
hx
Lilia
ceae
237
Dip
cadi
bifl
orum
Gha
z.G
ex
x23
8D
ipca
di e
ryth
raeu
m W
ebb
& B
erth
. G
ex
x
Lyth
race
ae23
9La
wso
nia
iner
mis
L.
Ph
xx
Mal
phig
iace
ae24
0A
crid
ocar
pus
orie
ntal
isA
. Jus
s.P
hx
Mal
vace
ae24
1A
butil
on p
anno
sum
(For
st. f
.) S
chle
cht.
Ch
x24
2A
lthae
a lu
dwig
ii L.
Thx
243
Hib
iscu
s m
icra
nthu
sL.
Ch
x24
4M
alva
par
viflo
raL.
Thx
xx
x
Men
ispe
rmea
ceae
245
Coc
culu
s pe
ndul
us (J
.R. &
G. F
orst
.) D
iels
Lix
Mim
osac
eae
246
Aca
cia
ehre
nber
gian
aH
ayne
Ph
xx
247
Aca
cia
nilo
tica
(L.)
Will
d. e
x D
elile
Ph
xx
248
Aca
cia
torti
lis (F
orss
k.) H
ayne
Ph
xx
x24
9P
roso
pis
cine
raria
(L.)
Dru
ceP
hx
xx
250
Pro
sopi
s fa
rcta
(Ban
ks &
Sol
.) M
ac.
Ch
xx
- 31 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
251
Pro
sopi
s ju
liflo
ra (S
w.)
DC
.P
hx
xx
Mol
lugi
nace
ae25
2Li
meu
m a
rabi
cum
Frie
dr.
Ch
x25
3Li
meu
m o
bova
tum
Vica
ry
Thx
xx
Mor
acea
e25
4Fi
cus
joha
nnis
Boi
ss.s
sp.j
ohan
nis
Ph
x
Mor
inga
ceae
255
Mor
inga
per
egrin
a (F
orss
k.) F
iori
Ph
x
Neu
rada
ceae
256
Neu
rada
pro
cum
bens
L.
Thx
xx
Nyc
tagi
nace
ae25
7B
oerh
avia
ele
gans
Cho
isy
Ph
x
Oro
banc
hace
ae25
8C
ista
nche
tubu
losa
(Sch
enk)
Wig
htG
e (P
)x
x25
9O
roba
nche
sp.
Ge
(P)
x
Oxa
lidac
eae
260
Oxa
lis c
orni
cula
taL.
Thx
x
Plan
tagi
nace
ae26
1P
lant
ago
ampl
exic
aulis
Cav
.Th
x26
2P
lant
ago
bois
sier
i Hau
sskn
. & B
ornm
.Th
xx
263
Pla
ntag
o ci
liata
Des
f.Th
xx
x26
4P
lant
ago
ovat
a Fo
rssk
.Th
x
- 32 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
Plum
bagi
nace
ae26
5D
yero
phyt
um in
dicu
m (G
ib. e
x W
ig.)
Kun
.C
hx
266
Lim
oniu
m a
xilla
re (F
orss
k.) K
untz
eC
hx
x26
7Li
mon
ium
car
nosu
m (B
oiss
.) O
. Kun
tze
Ch
xx
Poac
eae
268
Ael
urop
us la
gopo
ides
(L.)
Trin
.H
ex
xx
269
Ael
urop
us li
ttora
lis(G
ouan
) Par
l.H
ex
270
Aris
tida
abno
rmis
Chi
ov.
Thx
271
Aris
tida
adsc
ensi
onis
L.Th
xx
272
Aru
ndo
dona
xL.
Ch
xx
x27
3Av
ena
fatu
a L.
Thx
274
Aven
a st
erili
s G
ill &
Mag
neTh
x27
5B
rach
iaria
ram
osa
(L.)
Stap
fTh
x27
6B
rach
iaria
rept
ans
(L.)
Gar
d. &
C.E
. Hub
.Th
xx
277
Cen
chru
s ci
liaris
L.H
ex
xx
x27
8C
ench
rus
echi
natu
s L.
Thx
279
Cen
chru
s pe
nnis
etifo
rmis
Hoc
hst.
& S
teud
.Th
xx
280
Cen
chru
s se
tiger
us V
ahl.
He
xx
x28
1C
entro
podi
a fo
rssk
aolii
(Vah
l) C
ope
Th /
He
x28
2C
entro
podi
a fra
gilis
(Gui
n. &
Sau
v.) C
ope
He
x28
3C
hlor
is b
arba
taS
war
tzTh
xx
284
Chl
oris
gay
ana
Kun
th.
He
/ Ge
x28
5C
hlor
is v
irgat
a S
war
tzTh
x28
6C
oela
chyr
um b
revi
foliu
m(B
enth
.) B
orTh
x28
7C
oela
chyr
um p
ierc
ii(B
enth
.) B
orH
ex
288
Cym
bopo
gon
com
mut
atus
(Ste
ud.)
Stap
fH
ex
289
Cym
bopo
gon
scho
enan
thus
(L.)
Spre
ng.
He
x
- 33 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
290
Cyn
odon
dac
tylo
n (L
.) P
ers.
Ge
xx
x29
1D
acty
loct
eniu
m a
egyp
tium
(L.)
P. B
eauv
.Th
xx
x29
2D
acty
loct
eniu
m s
cind
icum
Boi
ss.
Ge
x29
3D
icha
nthi
um a
nnul
atum
(For
ssk.
) Sta
pf.
He
x29
4D
icha
nthi
um fo
veol
atum
(Del
ile) R
ober
tyH
ex
xx
295
Dig
itaria
san
guin
alis
(L.)
Sco
p.Th
xx
296
Ech
inoc
hloa
col
ona
(L.)
Link
Thx
x29
7E
chin
ochl
oa c
rus-
galli
(L.)
P. B
eauv
.Th
xx
298
Era
gros
tis b
arre
lieri
Dav
eau
Thx
xx
299
Era
gros
tis c
ilian
ensi
s(A
ll.) V
ign.
Thx
x30
0E
ragr
ostis
cili
aris
(L.)
R. B
r.Th
xx
301
Era
gros
tis p
appo
saR
. & J
. Ste
ud.
Thx
302
Era
gros
tis p
ilosa
(L.)
P. B
eauv
.H
ex
303
Era
gros
tis te
nella
(L.)
P. B
eauv
.Th
xx
304
Hal
opyr
um m
ucro
natu
m (L
.) St
apf
Thx
305
Hor
deum
gla
ucum
Ste
ud.
Thx
306
Hyp
arrh
enia
hirt
a(L
.) St
apf
He
xx
307
Impe
rata
cyl
indr
ica
(L.)
Bea
uv.
He
xx
308
Lasi
urus
sci
ndic
us H
enra
rdH
ex
x30
9La
tipes
sen
egal
ensi
s K
unth
He
x31
0Lo
lium
rigi
dum
Gau
din
Thx
311
Och
toch
loa
com
pres
sa(F
orss
k.) H
ilub
He
x31
2P
anic
um a
ntid
otal
eR
etz.
He
x31
3P
anic
um tu
rgid
um F
orss
k.H
ex
xx
314
Pas
palu
m v
agin
atum
Sw
.C
hx
315
Pen
nise
tum
div
isum
(J.F
. Gm
el.)
Hen
rard
He
xx
x31
6P
enni
setu
m s
etac
eun
(For
ssk.
) Chi
ov.
He
x31
7P
hala
ris m
inor
Ret
z.Th
x31
8P
hrag
mite
s au
stra
lis(C
av.)
Trin
. ex
Steu
d.H
e / G
ex
x31
9P
oa a
nnua
L.
Thx
- 34 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
320
Pol
ypog
on m
onsp
elie
nsis
(L.)
Des
f.Th
xx
x32
1R
ostra
ria c
rista
ta (L
.) Tz
vele
vTh
x32
2S
acch
arum
grif
fithi
i Mun
ro e
x B
enth
.C
hx
323
Sac
char
um ra
venn
ae (L
.) M
urr.
Ch
x32
4S
chis
mus
bar
batu
s(L
.) Th
ell.
Thx
x32
5S
etar
ia v
ertic
illat
a (L
.) P.
Bea
uv.
Thx
326
Set
aria
viri
dis
(L.)
P. B
eauv
.Th
x32
7S
phen
opus
div
aric
atus
(Gou
an) R
eich
b.Th
x32
8S
poro
bolu
s io
clad
os(N
ees
ex T
rin.)
Nee
sG
ex
x32
9S
poro
bolu
s sp
icat
us(V
ahl)
Kun
thG
ex
xx
x33
0St
ipa
cape
nsis
Thu
nb.
Th
xx
x33
1St
ipag
rost
is c
iliat
a(D
esf.)
de
Win
ter
He
xx
x33
2St
ipag
rost
is o
btus
a(D
elile
) Nee
s (f)
He
x33
3St
ipag
rost
is p
arad
isea
(Edg
ew.)
de W
inte
r H
ex
334
Stip
agro
stis
plu
mos
a(L
.) M
un. e
x T.
And
.H
ex
xx
335
Stip
agro
stis
sok
otra
na (V
ierh
.) de
Win
ter
He
x33
6St
ipag
rost
is s
p.(g
)H
ex
337
Tetra
pogo
n vi
llosu
s D
esf.
He
x33
8Tr
agus
race
mos
us(L
.) A
ll.Th
x33
9Tr
icho
laen
a te
nerif
fae
(L. f
.) P
arl.
He
x34
0Tr
iraph
is p
umili
oR
. Br.
Thx
x
Poly
gala
ceae
341
Pol
ygal
a er
iopt
era
DC
.Th
x
342
Pol
ygal
a irr
egul
aris
Boi
ss.
Th /
Ch
x
Poly
gona
ceae
343
Cal
ligon
um c
omos
um L
'Her
.P
hx
x34
4C
allig
onum
crin
itum
Boi
ss. s
sp. a
rabi
cus
(Sos
.) S
os.
Ph
x34
5E
mex
spi
nosa
(L.)
Cam
pd.
Thx
xx
- 35 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
346
Rum
ex d
enta
tus
L.Th
/ C
hx
x34
7R
umex
pic
tus
Fors
sk.
Thx
348
Rum
ex v
esic
ariu
sL.
Thx
Port
ulac
acea
e34
9P
ortu
laca
ole
reac
a L.
Thx
x35
0P
ortu
laca
qua
drifi
da L
.Th
x
Ran
uncu
lace
ae35
1R
anun
culu
s m
uric
atus
L.
Thx
Res
edac
eae
352
Och
rade
nus
arab
icus
Chd
., H
ill. &
Mill
.C
hx
x35
3O
chra
denu
s au
cher
i Boi
ss.
Th /
Ch
x35
4O
chra
denu
s ba
ccat
us D
el.
He
x35
5O
ligom
eris
lini
folia
(Vah
l) J.
F. M
acbr
.Th
xx
x35
6R
esed
a ar
abic
a B
oiss
.Th
x35
7R
esed
a au
cher
i Boi
ss.
Th
xx
x
Rha
mna
ceae
358
Zizi
phus
num
mul
aria
(Bur
. f.)
Wig
. & A
rn.
Ch
x35
9Zi
ziph
us s
pina
-chr
isti
(L.)
Will
d.P
hx
x
Rhi
zoph
orac
eae
360
Rhi
zoph
ora
muc
rona
taLa
mk.
Ph
x
Rub
iace
ae36
1G
aillo
nia
auch
eri (
Gui
ll.) J
aub.
& S
pach
Ph
xx
362
Gal
ium
set
aceu
m L
am.
Thx
363
Koh
autia
cae
spito
sa S
chin
zl.
Th /
Ch
xx
x
- 36 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dun
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
364
Pse
udog
aillo
nia
hym
enos
teph
ana
Lin.
Ch
x
Rut
acea
e36
5H
aplo
phyl
lum
tube
rcul
atum
(For
.) A
. Jus
s.C
hx
x
Salv
ador
acea
e36
6S
alva
dora
per
sica
L.P
hx
xx
Sapi
ndac
eae
367
Dod
onae
a vi
scos
aJa
cq.
Ph
x
Scro
phul
aria
ceae
368
Ant
icha
ris a
rabi
caE
ndl.
Thx
369
Bac
opa
mon
nier
i(L.
) Pen
nell
Ch
xx
370
Lind
enbe
rgia
ara
bica
(Moo
re) H
artl
Ch
x37
1Li
nden
berg
ia in
dica
O. K
untz
eC
hx
372
Sch
wei
nfur
thia
pap
ilion
acea
(Bur
. f.)
Boi
ss.
Thx
x37
3S
crop
hula
ria d
eser
ti D
elile
Ch
xx
Sola
nace
ae37
4Ly
cium
sha
wii
Roe
m. &
Sch
ult.
Ph
xx
x37
5N
icot
iana
plu
mba
gini
folia
Viv.
Thx
376
Phy
salis
min
ima
L.Th
x37
7S
olan
um n
igru
m L
.Th
x
Tam
aric
acea
e37
8Ta
mar
ix a
phyl
la (L
.) K
arst
.P
hx
379
Tam
arix
auc
heria
na (D
ecne
.) B
aum
(h)
Ph
x38
0Ta
mar
ix m
anni
fera
(Ehr
enb.
) Bun
ge (h
)P
h
- 37 -
Spec
ies
Life
-form
Hab
itat
Coa
Sab
Dn
Pla
Roc
Wat
Oas
Urb
Off
381
Tam
arix
nilo
tica
(Ehr
enb.
) Bun
geP
hx
382
Tam
arix
ram
ossi
ssim
a Le
deb.
(h)
Ph
x
Tilia
ceae
383
Cor
chor
us d
epre
ssus
(L.)
Stoc
ks.
Ch
xx
x38
4C
orch
orus
trilo
cula
ris L
. Th
x38
5G
rew
ia e
ryth
raea
Sch
wei
nf.
Ph
x
Typh
acea
e38
6Ty
pha
dom
inge
nsis
Per
s.
He
xx
Urt
icac
eae
387
Fors
skao
lea
tena
ciss
ima
L.Th
xx
xx
Verb
enac
eae
388
Phy
la n
odifl
ora
(L.)
Gre
ene
Ch
xx
389
Vite
x ag
nus-
cast
us L
.P
hx
x
Zygo
phyl
lace
ae39
0Fa
goni
a br
ugui
eri D
C.
Ch
xx
x39
1Fa
goni
a in
dica
Bur
m. f
.C
h x
xx
392
Fago
nia
oval
ifolia
Had
idi
Thx
x39
3S
eetz
enia
lana
ta (W
illd.
) Bul
lock
Ch
/ He
xx
x39
4Tr
ibul
us a
rabi
cus
Hos
ni s
.l. (i
ncl.
T. o
man
ense
)C
hx
x39
5Tr
ibul
us m
acro
pter
us B
oiss
.Th
xx
396
Trib
ulus
pen
tand
rus
Fors
sk.
Ch
xx
397
Trib
ulus
terr
estri
s L.
Th /
Ch
xx
xx
398
Zygo
phyl
lum
mig
ahid
ii H
adid
i(i)
Ch
x39
9Zy
goph
yllu
m q
atar
ense
Had
idi (
j)C
hx
xx
xx
400
Zygo
phyl
lum
sim
plex
L.
Ch
xx
xx
xx
- 38 -
Not
es
(a)
Ech
inop
ssp
. is
liste
d fo
r Jeb
el H
afit
by S
tuar
t & S
tuar
t (19
98).
(b)
Cor
nula
ca a
rabi
cais
pro
babl
y a
sepa
rate
spe
cies
from
C. m
onac
anth
a(c
)A
spec
ies
whi
ch a
ppea
rs to
be
Sal
sola
ara
bica
was
foun
d by
G. B
row
n on
coa
stal
san
ds w
est o
f Jeb
el D
hann
a.(d
)Th
is c
omm
on s
peci
es in
law
ns (f
or in
stan
ce in
Abu
Dha
bi c
ity) i
s po
ssib
ly F
.fer
rugi
nea
(L.)
Vahl
.(e
)A
n un
iden
tifia
ble,
pos
sibl
y un
desc
ribed
spe
cies
of L
otus
was
foun
d on
Zirk
u in
ear
ly 2
004
by G
. Bro
wn,
pos
sibl
y th
e sa
me
spec
ies
as L
otus
sp. i
n Jo
ngbl
oed
(200
3).
(f)St
ipag
rost
is o
btus
ais
pos
sibl
y S
. foe
xian
a (M
. & W
.) de
Win
ter.
(g)
This
spe
cies
is p
ossi
bly
S. m
ultin
ervi
a S
chol
z.(h
)Ta
mar
ixsp
ecie
s de
term
ined
acc
ordi
ng to
Man
davi
lle (1
990)
.(i)
Zygo
phyl
lum
mig
ahid
iiis
a d
istin
ct s
peci
es w
hich
occ
urs
in J
ebel
Haf
it an
d of
fsho
re is
land
s (e
.g. A
rzan
ah).
(j)A
ccor
ding
to D
eil (
2000
), Zy
goph
yllu
m m
anda
ville
i Had
idi o
ccur
s on
ly in
sou
ther
n A
rabi
a. T
he w
ides
prea
d sp
ecie
s oc
curr
ing
on in
terd
unal
pla
ins
in A
bu D
habi
is b
est t
reat
ed a
s Z.
qa
tare
nse
(see
Bro
wn,
200
4).
The
stat
us o
f the
follo
win
g sp
ecie
s in
Abu
Dha
bi E
mira
te is
unc
lear
:
Ero
dium
gla
ucop
hyllu
m (L
.) L'
Hér
.E
rodi
um n
eura
difo
lium
Del
ileSt
ipag
rost
is h
irtig
lum
a(S
teud
. ex
Trin
. & R
upr.)
de
Win
ter
Trib
ulus
mol
lis D
el.:
Asp
ecim
en c
lose
ly fi
tting
the
desc
riptio
n of
this
spe
cies
was
foun
d in
Dha
fra. H
owev
er, i
t is
poss
ible
that
it is
an
unkn
own
varia
nt o
f ano
ther
Trib
ulus
spec
ies.
Hab
itats
Life
-For
ms
(in a
ccor
danc
e w
ith R
aunk
iaer
, 193
4)
Coa
Coa
stal
sal
ine
habi
tats
PhP
hane
roph
yte
(woo
dy p
eren
nial
, per
enna
ting
buds
> 5
0 cm
abo
ve th
e so
il su
rface
)Sa
bS
abkh
aC
hC
ham
aeph
yte
(per
enni
al, p
eren
natin
g bu
ds d
istin
ctly
abo
ve th
e so
il su
rface
, but
< 5
0 cm
)D
unIn
land
san
d sh
eets
, dun
es a
nd m
ega-
dune
sH
eH
emic
rypt
ophy
te (p
eren
nial
, per
enna
ting
buds
on
the
soil
surfa
ce)
Pla
Allu
vial
and
inte
rdun
al p
lain
sG
eG
eoph
yte
(per
enni
al, w
ith s
ubte
rran
ean
stor
age
tissu
es)
Roc
Mou
ntai
ns, r
ocky
terr
ain
and
wad
isTh
Ther
ophy
te (a
nnua
l pla
nts
whi
ch s
urvi
ve th
e un
favo
urab
le s
easo
n as
see
d)W
atIn
land
wat
er h
abita
tsLi
Lian
a (v
ine-
like
plan
t whi
ch re
quire
s an
othe
r pla
nt s
peci
es fo
r sup
port)
Oas
Oas
es, f
arm
land
and
pla
ntat
ions
(P)
Par
asite
Urb
Urb
an h
abita
tsO
ffO
ffsho
re is
land
s
- 39 -