An Illustrated Checklist of the Flora of Qatar - Unesco

UNESCO OFFICE IN DOHA 

An Illustrated Checklist 

of the Flora of Qatar 

John Norton, Sara Abdul Majid, Debbie Allan, 

Mohammed Al Safran, Benno Böer & Renee Richer

An Illustrated Checklist 

of the Flora of Qatar 

John Norton, Sara Abdul Majid, Debbie Allan, 

Mohammed Al Safran, Benno Böer & Renee Richer 

2009 

UNESCO OFFICE IN DOHA

First published in 2009 by Browndown Publications, Gosport, UK. 

ISBN 978-0-9563961-0-5 

Text copyright © J.A. Norton, S. Abdul Majid, D.R. Allan, M. Al Safran, B. Böer & R. Richer, 2009. 

Photographs copyright © J.A. Norton, except Plates 45 & 66 © S. Abdul Majid; 3, 17, 19, 20 & 109 

© S.J. Aspinall; 1, 4, 8, 11, 14, 28, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, 40, 46, 51, 65, 67, 69 & 77 © R. Richer; 2, 64 

& 74 © M. Al Safran. 

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the 

publisher. 

The designations employed and the presentation of the material throughout this publication do not 

imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning legal status of 

any country, territory, city or area of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers 

or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication are those of the respective authors and do 

not necessarily reflect the views of UNESCO. 

The production of this book was generously supported by UNESCO Doha, Maersk Oil Qatar and 

Qatar Foundation. 

The authors would be pleased to receive comments or corrections on the text, further information 

on the occurrence of species in Qatar and good quality digital photographs of plants growing in 

Qatar. Correspondence should be addressed to: John Norton, Browndown Publications, 215 Forton 

Road, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 3HB, UK (e-mail: books@jnecology.com) 

Printed by Ashford Colour Press Ltd, Gosport, UK. 

Cover photograph: a sandy wadi with Acacia tortilis and Lycium shawii, within an area of gently undulating 

limestone ‘hamada’ – the characteristic landscape of Qatar (south-west Qatar, March 2007). Insets: Convolvulus 

cephalodpodus, Anastatica hierochuntica, Centaurea sinaica and Cynomorium coccineum. 

Contents 

Authors ii 

Foreword iii 

Preface iv 

Acknowledgements v 

Introduction vi 

Selection of Species vi 

Sources of Information vi 

Overview of Habitats and Vegetation vii 

Notes on Layout and Terminology x 

Map of the State of Qatar xiv 

SPECIES ACCOUNTS 1-84 

Pteridophyta 1 

Gymnospermae 1 

Angiospermae: Dicotyledoneae 1 

Angiospermae: Monocotyledoneae 69 

References and Bibliography 85 

Internet Resources 88 

Index to Families and Species 89

Authors 

John Norton is an independent ecological consultant and botanist, based in Hampshire, UK. 

He has spent more than two and a half years in total working in the Arabian Peninsula, including 

spells in northern Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to conduct research on the Houbara 

Bustard. Since 1998 he has made several trips to Qatar to undertake wildlife surveys and impact 

assessments, including a detailed survey of the Dukhan area in 2007. He has a keen interest in the 

wildlife and ecology of desert habitats and has built up an extensive collection of photographs and 

herbarium specimens. In the UK he is a committee member of the Hampshire Flora Group, which 

organises field meetings, and encourage people to develop botanical identification skills. 

Benno Böer is a botanist and ecologist working at the UNESCO Doha Office as the Ecological 

Sciences Advisor for the Arab Region. He has been involved in several international research 

programmes in ecosystem study, vegetation mapping and other forms of botanical research in 

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates and has authored 

or contributed to several scientific publications and books including the two most recent floras 

covering the UAE (Jongbloed, et al. 2000, 2003). He has a special interest in the rehabilitation of 

coastal and desert ecosystems and through UNESCO helped to set up the first biosphere reserve 

for the country at Al Reem in 2007 and is helping to establish the Quranic Botanic Garden in Doha. 

Sara Abdul Majid is an environmental scientist and dedicated conservationist. Born and raised in 

Qatar, she has developed a passion for the unique desert environment of the country. She worked at 

an environmental consulting firm (URS Doha office) before pursuing her Masters in Conservation 

at University College London. During her time with URS, Sara has been involved in conducting 

terrestrial and marine field surveys including the study of baseline flora, fauna, soil/sediment and 

groundwater conditions. She has recently conducted research at Al Reem Biosphere Reserve, 

including the characterization and mapping of vegetation communities, in collaboration with 

UNESCO and the Ministry of Environment (Qatar). 

Debbie Allan is a self-taught botanist and naturalist who has studied the flora of her local area of 

Gosport in Hampshire for more than 15 years. Together with John Norton she is working on a 

flora of the area, which lies on a floristically rich coastal peninsula, to be published in 2010. Past 

work has included five years spent indexing scientific publications and 15 months (to April 2006) 

computerising botanical records for the Hampshire Rare Plant Register, a project funded by the 

Botanical Society of the British Isles and the Hampshire Wildlife Trust. She presently works as an 

assistant ecologist with John Norton. 

Mohammed Al Safran was born in Qatar and has developed a special interest in its flora and plant 

ecology. He studied at Qatar University and subsequently obtained a Masters degree in Agricultural 

and Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University in 2008 and is presently completing his 

PhD on the ecology and status of Prosopis cineraria and Acacia tortilis in Qatar. He is also currently 

teaching at Qatar University Department of Biology & Environmental Sciences and is supervising 

the management of the ‘Biology Field’ at the university campus, helping to involve students in the 

study of flora, fauna and soil relationships. 

Renee Richer is visiting assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. Trained as a 

botanist and ecologist at Harvard University, she worked in southern Africa from 1994-2002. While 

assistant professor and director of the Environmental Conservation and Research Center at the 

American University of Armenia, she worked closely with government, NGOs and communities in 

furthering environmental development in the country, culminating in the Whitley award in 2007. 

With a keen interest in environmental science and sustainable development in arid regions, she 

has authored scientific publications and co-authored a book on environmental course design. She 

is currently studying the flora of Qatar. 

Foreword 

This illustrated plant species Checklist of the Flora of Qatar has been produced in the 

overall framework of a major project linking biodiversity conservation with cultural 

heritage, namely the Quranic Botanic Garden (QBG) in Qatar. The guidelines for the QBG 

have been developed under the guidance of Qatar Foundation and with the international 

and inter-disciplinary support and expert advice of Mr. Abdulaziz Al Midfa (United Arab 

Emirates), Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Muftah (Qatar), Prof. Dr. Kamal Batanouny (Qatar 

Foundation), Dr. Benno Böer (UNESCO), Dr. Gary Brown (Kuwait), Dr. Uwe Herpin 

(Brazil), Prof. Dr. Fareed Krupp (Germany), Dr. Guido Licciardi (UNESCO) and Ms. 

Narjes Yedder (Tunisia). They have developed the over-arching vision to ‘Provide the people 

of Qatar and the Gulf Region with a Centre of Excellence for Research and Education, promoting 

the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, emphasising the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and 

the Hadith. This will also function as a prime recreational destination’. I am highly thankful to 

the above experts. 

A lot has been achieved in a short time, since October 2007, when UNESCO and Qatar 

Foundation embarked on this joint initiative, which received generous support from 

Maersk Oil Qatar, and which was assisted by Ralf Oliver of London and Botanic Gardens 

Conservation International. The International Advisory Committee met, guidelines were 

developed based on expert recommendations, the master plan was developed, reviewed, 

revised and produced, and an external evaluation report was compiled. These were all 

essential steps towards the establishment of the Quranic Botanic Garden. 

The flora of Qatar and the Arabian Peninsula has always been important for the Arab 

people, as a source for livestock grazing, construction material, firewood and food. It is 

important in our modern times that we study the natural vegetation, learn to understand 

vegetation ecology, and document and conserve our national and regional flora. The 

indigenous plants have undoubtedly a large number of medicinal, pharmaceutical, 

landscaping, scientific and economic values that are yet to be discovered. This volume is a 

new and essential contribution, because and it contains a comprehensive listing of species 

that occur in the country, as well as providing important eco-geographical information 

about these species. 

It is with great joy that I can witness and provide the foreword for this milestone as a 

supporting element of the QBG. During their research the authors faced many deficits in 

the existing literature, namely a lack of reliable, accurate and up-to-date botanical data. 

I congratulate them for their achievement, including those elements of real capacity 

building. I highly recommend this volume as an important source of information about, 

and education into, the understanding of the flora of Qatar. 

Saif Al Hajari 

Vice-Chairperson of Qatar Foundation 

ii iii

Preface 

My interest in Arabian plant life started in 1988 when I travelled to the Harrat al Harrah area in 

north-west Saudi Arabia on the first of five trips over a period of two years to study the habitat of 

the Houbara Bustard, a traditional quarry of the Arab falconer. Although a dry, rocky area, the 

flora here is relatively rich, especially in the sandy wadis and silt pans which retain some moisture 

during the summer months. My work then took me to Abu Dhabi during the winter of 1991–92, 

where although working as an ornithologist I visited all parts of the Emirate and quickly became 

familiar with the range of plant life of this predominantly sandy area. Travels to the Al Liwa oasis, 

at the edge of the Empty Quarter, were particularly memorable during this time. 

In November 1994 I returned to Abu Dhabi to work for six months for one of the predecessors of 

the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD), where I carried out both bird and plant-related work. 

This is where I first met Benno Böer, who had already been employed as an ecologist there for 

several years – having previously spent time in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia as well as Abu 

Dhabi, studying the ecology of mangroves, saltmarshes and desert vegetation. During the spring of 

1995 a good rainy spell allowed us the opportunity to study the germination and development of 

native desert plants, particularly in the confines of our research station at Sweihan, a 1.5 km x 1.5 km 

square enclosure (Böer & Norton 1996a, 1996b). Whilst the flora inside the station flourished, the 

plants outside soon disappeared due to the attentions of the local herd of camels. Encouragingly, 

we also noticed that parts of an adjacent area had been fenced off to prevent grazing. This may 

have been a measure to protect the wintering grounds of the Houbara, or could have been a now 

rare example of the traditional Bedouin hema system of grazing protection. 

From this background, we subsequently both went on to develop a keen interest in the habitats and 

flora of the region and of Qatar in particular. After publishing an important account of his Abu 

Dhabi work on the anthropogenic impacts on desert ecosystems (Böer 1999), Benno moved to Doha 

to work for UNESCO, where he has gone on to promote the restoration and wise management of 

desert habitats. Since 2002 he has been working to set up the first biosphere reserve for the country 

at Al Reem, which was finally established in 2007. He was also instrumental in establishing the 

Quranic Botanic Garden in Doha. 

I carried on working in the UK as an ecological consultant, but in 1998, 2003 and 2004 I made 

brief visits to Qatar to carry out ecological surveys for environmental impact assessments at the 

two main industrial ‘cities’ of Mesaieed and Ras Laffan. More recently, during February and March 

2007 I organised a large-scale flora and fauna survey of Qatar Petroleum’s Dukhan Concession 

Area, on the west coast. This followed the wettest winter for 10 years in the Gulf, which resulted 

in remarkable green swathes of annual vegetation across large parts of Qatar. I was joined on this 

survey by Simon Aspinall, an old friend and then long-term former resident of Abu Dhabi, who 

besides being a renowned ornithologist is also one of the most experienced botanists working in 

the region. He has contributed several of the photographs included in this book and made more 

than his fair share of noteworthy discoveries. 

The flora of the Arabian Peninsula has principally been studied and documented by visiting or 

expatriate Egyptian, Pakistani, Sudanese and western botanists, most notably Abdel Bari, Boulos, 

Batanouny, Chaudhary, Collenette, Jongbloed and Mandaville. Although some of these have 

investigated the flora in a professional role through specific research programmes, others have 

pursued their studies in their own time in an amateur capacity, particularly the Western botanists. 

In Qatar, most of the research has been carried out through the University of Qatar, which was 

founded in 1977. Professor Batanouny published the first and only definitive account of the flora 

in his Ecology and Flora of Qatar soon after in 1981. This was followed by a short, but useful account 

of the flora by El Amin in Wild Plants of Qatar, published by the Arab Organization for Agricultural 

Development in 1983, the result of a 14-month collecting trip. No further comprehensive works 

on the flora of Qatar have been published since this time, apart from a few journal papers dealing 

largely with saline habitats and a detailed report by the University on vegetation types and soil 

relationships (Abulfatih et al. 2001). 

Unfortunately, the scientific value of the books by Batanouny and El Amin is now diminishing 

because plant names have changed and new species have been discovered. The flora has changed 

in many areas due to increased grazing pressure, the recreational use of desert areas and particularly 

through the increase in irrigation schemes in farms, towns and cities. Benno and I realised that a 

new flora of Qatar was urgently needed, but despite our reasonable familiarity with the country we 

also knew that neither of us had enough knowledge to be able to write a full scientific flora. This will 

hopefully follow in a few years time after we (or others) have carried out more detailed research and 

have visited some of the lesser-explored areas. In the meantime, we have compiled this checklist 

with the intention of providing an up-to-date scientific list of the plants that are known to occur, 

including brief details where known of their status, distribution, habitat and uses. 

We were lucky to have found two local Qataris, Sara Abdul Majid and Mohammed Al Safran, both 

with a keen interest in the country’s natural heritage, to assist us in compiling this book. Renee 

Richer who is currently resident in Qatar also provided useful information on the distribution 

of species and medicinal uses. The remaining author, Debbie Allan, shared with me much of the 

general research and compilation of information from other floras. Whilst the checklist is not 

intended to be an identification guide and does not contain any keys or detailed descriptions, we 

hope that it will provide a useful source of information for ecologists and other scientists carrying 

out surveys and other research. However, our main aim in publishing it is to stimulate interest and 

understanding of the natural habitats, vegetation and flora of Qatar, which in contrast to the rest 

of the Gulf states have been poorly studied and under-valued. 

The production of the checklist has been kindly funded by UNESCO and will be used to promote 

and inform their Quranic Botanic Gardens project, being run in conjunction with the Qatar 

Foundation and supported by Maersk Oil Qatar. The aims of the project include the establishment 

of a living collection of all native plant species occurring in the State of Qatar, as well as plants from 

the Arabian Peninsula and those mentioned in the Holy Quran and the Hadith. It also aims to 

build up a knowledge-base of plant taxonomy and vegetation ecology amongst Qatari botanists. In 

this regard we have great hopes that young Qatari men and women will discover the beauty of the 

national flora, develop a passion for wildlife and come to understand the importance of botanical 

and ecological scientific research into the natural world. 

John Norton 

Gosport, UK, October 2009 

Acknowledgements 

The authors would like to thank Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al Misned, UNESCO 

Special Envoy for Higher and Basic Education for commitment towards botanical education in 

Qatar. We also express our thanks to Dr Saif Al Hajiri, Vice-Chairperson of Qatar Foundation 

for his interest. Furthermore, we sincerely thank Jacob Thomasen, Saad Al Mohammadi, Peter 

Christensen and Maersk Oil Qatar for their support, making this publication possible. We also 

express our thanks to UNESCO Representative in the Arab States of the Gulf and Director of the 

Doha Office, Dr Hamed Al-Hammami, and all of his staff, for their support. 

We are also indebted to Eric Clement (Gosport, UK) for providing advice and help on identification 

and taxonomic issues, for proof-reading the text and making many useful suggestions, and also for 

checking plant specimens and for the extended loan of books on the Arabian flora. Thanks are also 

due to Simon Aspinall (Norfolk, UK) for permission to reproduce photographs. 

iv v

Selection of Species 

Introduction 

This publication lists all species of vascular plants (flowering plants and ferns) recorded growing 

in the wild in the State of Qatar. These comprise all species known to be native, but also many that 

have been introduced intentionally or accidentally by man and are now naturalised, often as weeds 

of cultivation. Several commonly-planted species are also included that are not yet known to be 

widely naturalised, but could become so in the future. They include a few salt-tolerant trees and 

shrubs that are becoming increasingly important for urban landscaping and ornamental use in 

the Gulf. Such species are widely planted to provide shelter from wind and sun, visual screening of 

industrial buildings and for their general aesthetic value in ‘greening’ projects. The total number 

of species included in the checklist is nearly 400 of which about 270 are likely to be truly native. 

Naturalised species are of interest to botanists and ecologists as they often become established very 

quickly when introduced into suitable habitats in places away from their country of origin. Thus 

in some cases they may compete with native species for water and other resources. It is important 

in publications such as this to document these species and publicise their presence so that their 

status can be monitored. In Qatar and elsewhere in the Gulf one tree in particular, the Mesquite 

Prosopis juliflora, originally from central America, has now become an undesirable invasive species. 

Although primarily found in and around inhabited areas, it is increasingly seen growing in more 

remote desert localities. In contrast, the native Prosopis cineraria or ghaf, which is on the edge of 

its range in Qatar, is undergoing a serious decline. The vast majority of the naturalised species 

included in this checklist are annual or perennial ‘mesophytic’ plants that are dependent on 

artificial irrigation. Many, however are also found in the numerous natural depressions in Qatar, 

particularly after winter rains, when soils may remain damp for a considerable time. It is prudent 

to monitor such species to see if they are having any impact on the native flora, which also abound 

in these depressions. 

Batanouny and El Amin visited cultivated areas as part of their research and so recorded these 

naturalised and ‘escaped’ species in some detail. Regrettably, the present authors have not been 

able to revisit many farm areas; instead we have concentrated out efforts on natural habitats. We 

have therefore not been able to confirm the current status of many of the species mentioned in 

the earlier publications. Several species recorded in Qatar have not been fully confirmed through 

expert determination of specimens. The two published volumes of the Flora of the Arabian 

Peninsula and Socotra (Miller & Cope 1996, Cope 2007) only list species as occurring in Qatar (and 

other countries) where the authors have seen specimens. In this checklist unconfirmed species have 

been noted in the text and include, for example, those recorded by El Amin but not previously by 

Batanouny, and a few old records by Obeid (1975). Where the identification is thought very likely 

to have been in error the species name has been shown in square brackets. 

Sources of Information 

This checklist is partly a synthesis of historically published information, especially from the previous 

accounts of the Qatar flora by Batanouny (1981) and El Amin (1983), as already mentioned. It was 

felt important to summarise the information included by these authors, as their works include much 

useful data on status, distribution and uses of species. More recent information was obtained from 

a list of newly recorded species for Qatar published by Abdel Bari (1997). Other principal sources 

include the aforementioned Miller & Cope 1996 and Cope 2007, along with Boulos’s Flora of Egypt 

(Boulos 1999-2005), Jongbloed’s Wild Flowers of the UAE (Jongbloed et al. 2003) and Mandaville’s 

Flora of Eastern Saudi Arabia (1990). Other recent floras covering Gulf states were also consulted, 

including those for Bahrain: Phillips (1988) and Cornes & Cornes (1989) and for Kuwait: Daoud 

& Al-Rawi (1985) and Shuaib (1995). Specific comments made by these authors have been cited in 

the text, but to save space the dates of publication have not usually been repeated. 

Much information for this checklist has, however, been derived from the authors’ knowledge 

and experience of the flora both in Qatar and other parts of the Arabian Gulf. Nonetheless, the 

occurrence and distribution of many species over much of Qatar is poorly known and so some of 

our remarks are either brief or generalised. Further research and a mapping survey of the whole 

country is badly needed. The least explored parts of the state include the extreme north coast, the 

southern borderlands with Saudi Arabia and the offshore islands that lie within Qatari territory. It 

is probable that such areas could support a number of hitherto unrecorded native species. It is also 

likely that a large number of non-native species will be added to the list in future years as more are 

introduced through importation of food, forestry plants and livestock. Furthermore, little is known 

about the species of permanently wet areas, such as ponds and lagoons created through irrigation 

run-off and water treatment schemes. 

Photographs and line-drawings are a valuable means of checking the identity of plant species, so 

in addition to providing a selection of our own photographs in this checklist, we have also carefully 

referenced published photographs and illustrations from the floras and other guides covering the 

Gulf region. In addition to those mentioned above, these comprise Western (1989) and the two most 

recent publications covering the Sultanate of Oman (Ghazanfar 2003, Pickering & Patzelt 2008), 

which contain a small but useful selection of plants found in Qatar. 

Much of the time spent compiling the checklist was taken up with checking taxonomy and recent 

changes to nomenclature. Names of plants unfortunately change constantly as new information 

from field-work or herbarium research is published, particularly now that DNA studies are widely 

carried out. We have tried to use the most up to date name available, if we believe the change has 

been or will be accepted by the scientific community. In some cases the use of a scientific name of 

a plant species comes down to personal choice. Therefore we have largely followed Miller & Cope 

(1996), Cope (2007), Jongbloed et al. (2003) and Boulos (1999-2005); but have also made use of 

internet resources such as ePIC (electronic Plant Information Centre administered by the Royal 

Botanic Gardens, Kew), IPNI (International Plant Names Index), GRIN (Germplasm Resources 

Information Network, United States Department of Agriculture) and for Asteraceae and some 

other plants the Euro+Med PlantBase. Commonly-used synonyms have been given for each species 

where relevant and any taxonomic uncertainties have been noted in the species accounts. 

Arabic names have been compiled from first-hand knowledge of the authors, partially supplemented 

by literature searches. Names have been listed where well known in Qatar or in widespread use in 

the Gulf or other parts of the Arab-speaking world. Most the publications listed above also have 

useful lists of Arabic names, but Mandaville (1990) is recommended as he gives the sources of most 

of his names and provides a comprehensive Arabic index. 

Overview of Habitats and Vegetation 

Qatar is largely an arid, desert area with a hot, sunny climate, receiving minimal rainfall, which is 

often sporadic in occurrence. Fogs occur in winter and spring and contribute a more regular source 

of water to the flora. The majority of the land surface consists of flat to gently undulating calcareous 

rocks, with sand formations occurring in the south-east. The country is largely low-lying, but there 

are some small jebels in the south (rising to just over 100 metres at the highest point) and a rocky 

Miocene ridge extending from Dukhan to near the southern border on the west coast. Away from 

the deeper sand areas, the soils are generally shallow, consisting of sands, silts and gravels, but the 

north of the country also supports numerous natural depressions known as ‘rodat’, of various sizes, 

many of which have much deeper, richer soils, and have therefore been converted to farmland to 

grow crops. The reader is recommended to refer to Batanouny (1983) and Abulfatih et al. (2001) 

for further information on geology, soils and climate. 

From a plant ecologist’s point of view the main edaphic (soil) factors affecting choice of habitat 

of desert species in areas such as the Gulf are the degree of retention of soil moisture, the level 

vi vii

of salinity, soil particle size and the degree of soil compaction. These are often inter-related. The 

mineral and nutrient content of soils may be important secondary factors affecting plant growth 

in some areas. Thus, the flora of Qatar can usually be placed into one of five main habitat groups: 

(a) strongly ‘xerophytic’ species of rock and gravel deserts where soil depth is limited and 

conditions are very dry; 

(b) ‘halophytic’ species tolerant of saline areas, such as saltmarshes, coastal sands, sabkha edge 

and inland oolitic sands; 

(c) species that grow in natural silt and sand depressions where water retention is higher than 

for (a); 

(d) species adapted to grow in deeper sand, where water is available under the surface; 

(e) species associated with man-made and man-influenced sites, particularly those receiving 

artificial irrigation, such as roadsides, farms, gardens and sewage ponds. 

Species that are more catholic in their requirements may be found in more than one group. 

Annual species mainly fall in groups (a), (c) and (e) and can grow in almost any situation or soil 

type, provided there is at least a shallow surface covering of sand or silt. Group (e) includes many 

naturalised species that are weeds of cultivation. However, a number of true desert species also grow 

in irrigated habitats; often more luxuriantly due to the increased supply of water. Some of these are 

adapted to spread quickly in times of good rainfall. 

The main habitat types and associated vegetation in Qatar can be summarised as follows: 

Dunes and deep sand areas are strongly undulating or form chains of the familiar crescentshaped 

‘barchan’ dunes; they occur mainly in the south and south-east and are moderately saline, 

characteristically supporting the mound-forming shrub Seidlitzia rosmarinus. 

Sand sheets are shallower areas of sand forming flat or gently undulating terrain; they may be 

stabilised and firm, or sometimes quite soft. They occur mainly in the south-west and are often 

dominated by sand-binding grasses, especially Panicum turgidum, or locally by the shrum Haloxylon 

salicornicum. 

White sand of marine origin occurs inland in SW Qatar. It is moderately saline and supports a 

distinctive vegetation dominated by Cyperus conglomeratus and Tetraena qatarensis. Agriophyllum minus 

is a distinctive associate. 

Coastal sand on beaches is usually coarse-textured and calcareous due to abundant shell fragments. 

It is often grey, or sometimes pinkish in hue. Halophytic shrubs such as Cornulaca spp. usually 

dominate, but the habitat often supports diverse mixed grass and shrub vegetation. Naturalised 

date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) occur in this habitat at Umm Bab. 

Wadis and runnels are linear features formed in the landscape, which may flow with water during 

times of heavy rainfall. In Qatar they are generally not well defined in terms of depth or gradient, but 

are characterised by linear or oval patches of accumulated sand, often within otherwise featureless 

hamada or gravel desert areas. They support distinctive types of vegetation, composed of certain 

grasses, perennial and annual herbs and also often support stands of Lycium shawii. The lily Dipcadi 

erythraeum is especially characteristic of small sandy runnels. 

Sand and silt pans and larger natural depressions (‘rodat’) support moderately compact to 

very compact soils composed of fine sand, silt or loam. They often become flooded during rains 

and may retain moisture for some time afterwards. Soils often have higher quantity of organic 

matter than other desert areas. They are usually characterised by stands of trees and shrubs 

comprising Acacia spp., Prosopis juliflora, Ziziphus nummularia and Lycium shawii; and are often rich 

in annual and perennial herbs and grasses. Characteristic species of silt pans include Cymbopogon 

commutatus, Pulicaria undulata, Andrachne telephioides, Astragalus eremophilus, Althaea ludwigii and 

Corchorus depressus. In the south, depressions are mostly small, circular features a few metres to a 

few hundred metres across, but in the north and central parts of Qatar they may be irregular or 

more linear in shape and can reach 2-3 kilometres in length. These larger rodat have often been 

converted to farmland and are irrigated and cultivated to grow crops. For further information see 

Batanouny (1981) and Babikir (1986). 

‘Sabkha’ refers to usually low-lying areas of sandy desert which have been inundated by seawater 

or rainwater that has dried out leaving a salt-encrusted surface. They occur mainly on or near the 

coast in Qatar, with larger ones occurring east of Dukhan and at Mesaieed. Most are too salty to 

support any vegetation, but many have a marginal zone (referred to as ‘sabkha edge’) that is often 

dominated by halophytic species such as Limonium axillare, Salsola spp. or Tetraena qatarensis. Native 

species of Tamarix may also occur. 

Saltmarsh occurs in coastal bays and creeks, often in muddy areas, and is locally dominated by 

mangrove Avicennia marina, with dense stands of Arthrocnemum macrostachyum and other halophytes. 

Gypsum desert occurs in the west and north-west, particularly in the Dukhan area. Soils are 

composed of a high proportion of calcium carbonate and are strongly calcareous. They vary from 

soft to moderately compact and are also mixed with sand and silt in places. They support a variety 

of vegetation types that also occur in other sandy and gravelly habitats, but a few species such as 

Helianthemum kahiricum and Erodium glaucophyllum are particularly characteristic. 

Gravel plain is used to describe flat desert areas with a surface layer of gravel or stones. Several 

variations of this habitat occur in Qatar, with soils varying from soft to compact and fine to coarsetextured. 

Most of these are characterised by relatively poor cover of vegetation, often of lowgrowing 

or stunted perennial herbs, grasses and shrubs. Typical species include Helianthemum lippii, 

Polycarpaea repens and Stipagrostis spp. 

‘Hamada’ is flat or gently undulating desert with stones and rocks on the surface or embedded in 

the surface, usually with compact soils and only small quantities of wind-blown sand and silt on the 

surface. In Qatar this habitat is formed from the limestone bedrock and is a feature of large areas 

of the interior of the country. The vegetation is usually dominated by Lycium shawii and Tetraena 

qatarensis, with the annual grass Stipa capensis turning the landscape green after winter rains. 

Rock outcrops occur in the west and south-west of the country and occasionally elsewhere. The 

summits are often rather bare of vegetation due to the lack of soil particles for growth, but their 

sides accumulate pockets of wind-blown sand and can be quite rich in vegetation. After winter rains 

the low-growing annual Sclerocephalus arabicus may be locally abundant. 

Cultivated and irrigated soils are damp periodically or all year round and often have higher levels 

of organic matter and nutrients. Some may be moderately saline. Depending on the purpose for 

which they are used they can support various kinds of vegetation, often of non-native, naturalised 

species. 

Wetland areas include pools and channels that take waste water from irrigation and water treatment 

schemes and remain wet or waterlogged all year round. Such sites usually support dense reedbeds 

of Phragmites australis around the margins, often mixed in with Tamarix. Other tall emergent plants 

sometimes occur. The edge zones often support lower-growing wetland grasses such as Polypogon 

monspeliensis and Aeluropus lagopoides. An extensive lake system to the west of Doha has been formed 

in recent years from waste water sources. 

viii ix

Notes on Layout and Terminology 

Abbreviations Used in the Text 

To make this checklist easy to read and understand, abbreviations and codes have not been used, 

except to denote approximate geographical areas of Qatar. The country can be roughly divided 

into equal thirds: north (N), central (C) and east (E), with the northern and southern parts each also 

conveniently divided into NW and NE, SW and SE. This appears to be the system used by earlier 

authors. Main localities are shown on the map (p. xiv). 

Shortened author names are used in the lists of photographs and illustrations (see below). Initials 

of the present authors (BB, SAM, JN, MS & RR) are used in the text when attributing plant records. 

Square brackets around a species name indicates that there is a strong possibility it was misidentified 

by previous authors and has not occurred in Qatar. 

Order of Species 

The checklist is arranged in the traditional order of ferns (Pteridophyta), cone-bearing flowering 

plants (Gymnospermae), ‘double seed-leaved’ flowering plants (Dicotyledoneae) and ‘single seedleaved’ 

flowering plants (Monocotyledoneae). Families and species are arranged in alphabetical 

order within these. Only a single fern (Ophioglossum polyphyllum) and gymnosperm (Ephedra foliata) 

are presently known to occur in Qatar. 

Family Names 

Family names are mostly those recommended by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (2003), with 

the modern names being used for Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae and 

others (now less often referred to as Umbelliferae, Compositae, Cruciferae, Leguminosae and 

Labiatae). Tradition has been upheld by recognising Capparaceae, but including it within it those 

species often separated into the Cleomaceae. 

Scientific Names 

The currently accepted scientific name of each species is given in bold type, with the author citation 

in standard format. Synonyms in common or recent use are given in italics with their authors below 

the species entry. 

Vernacular Names 

Vernacular (or common) names in English are listed only for widely occurring and familiar species 

or genera. Some authors of regional floras have invented their own English names, but this practice 

serves no scientific use and can lead to confusion, so for a large number of species no English 

vernacular name has been given. In some cases the names given are local to the place of origin, 

but have become more widely used (e.g. some Indian names of species naturalised in the Gulf). 

The Arabic vernacular names are shown in Arabic script and as English transliterations. Words of 

similar root but pronounced differently are separated by a slash symbol (/). This usually reflects a 

slightly different dialect or different derivations of the same word, but not all variations have been 

given. Single or double uppercase letters in the transliterations are used to denote the emphatic 

consonants. The Arabic letter ’ain has usually been denoted by a single apostrophe, and the letter qaf 

by the English ‘q’, even though often pronounced as a hard ‘g’ in the Gulf and usually spelt as such. 

Growth Form & Flowering Period 

The species’ growth form or habit, and height is summarised using general terms (see Box 2). 

The likely flowering period in Qatar is shown as abbreviated month ranges, e.g. ‘Feb–Mar’, or ‘all 

year’ for species that may flower at any time of the year. It should be borne in mind that flowering 

periods may be variable for many species, as they are often determined by the timing of winter or 

spring rains. 

Status 

Each species is stated as being either native (occurring in Qatar within part of its natural range) or 

introduced (occurring as a result of human action). A preceding question mark [?] indicates that the 

status is uncertain. What has been termed here as the ‘rarity status’ or overall occurrence of species 

in Qatar is categorised as ‘very common’, ‘common’, ‘local’ or ‘rare’ (see Box 1). This provides 

a broad assessment of the frequency of species, regardless of habitat type or local abundance. 

These classifications could be used as an initial stage in selecting species of conservation priority; 

for example those native species that are of local or rare occurrence. A preceding question mark 

indicates that the rarity status is uncertain, but for a small number of planted or introduced species 

the occurrence is unknown and this category has been omitted. 

For species not recorded by Batanouny or El Amin, a source for the first published record is given, or 

where published for the first time in this checklist, details of the record are given, with the author’s 

name or initials. Specimens of most of these species have been retained by JN and identification 

confirmed by E. Clement; they will deposited at Kew herbarium in due course. 

Qatar has no endemic species, but mention is made of a few ‘near-endemics’, for example species 

with distributions restricted to parts of the Gulf. A list of other Gulf countries in which the species 

has been recorded is given at the end of the status section in alphabetical order. Oman has been 

excluded from these lists as most of it lies outside the Arabian Gulf area. For Saudi Arabia only 

species included in Mandaville (1990) are noted, in addition to a few additional ones mapped by 

Miller & Cope (1996) and Cope (2007), though these sources were not exhaustively checked. 

Abundance, Habitat & Distribution 

The local abundance, habitat preferences and distribution over Qatar are summarised in this 

section. Local or ‘relative’ abundance is the frequency and abundance of species relative to the 

area or habitat in which they are growing (see Box 3). Information on habitat preferences and 

distribution has usually been combined, rather than listing separately, since in many cases these are 

inter-related. General information on habitats is given in the Introduction. Distribution is given in 

terms of the main geographical areas of Qatar as described above or by reference to more specific 

localities or areas. Localities are mentioned mainly for the more localised and rare species, where 

necessary repeating details given by previous authors. Most are included on the map (page xiv). 

Box 1. Categories used to summarise occurrence in Qatar 

very common Species distributed over most parts of the country and occurring in most 

habitat types. 

common Species with a wide range, but may be absent from some geographical 

areas or from certain types of habitat. 

local Species of scattered distribution, i.e. occurring only in a small number of 

often widely spaced sites. Invariably this will apply to species dependent 

on certain types of habitat or habitat conditions which themselves are 

localised. 

rare Species of very limited distribution in Qatar; usually restricted to about 

five or fewer localities (based on published information and current 

knowledge). 

x xi

Box 2. Main terms used to describe growth form and habit 

tree Long-lived, woody plant with clearly defined trunk; growing to 3 m or 

more in height, but often shorter if browsed by livestock. 

shrub/small shrub Long-lived woody plant usually without clearly defined trunk; usually 

attaining a height of 0.3–3 m; ‘small shrub’ has been used to refer to 

shrubs that do not usually exceed 60 cm in height. 

shrublet Perennial plants with the appearance of herbs, but with tough, woody 

lower stems; usually less than 30 cm in height, but often much shorter 

(may be spreading over the ground). 

annual herb Herbaceous, i.e. non-woody, plants usually completing a life cycle of 

germination to seed production within a 12-month period. In desert 

conditions annual herbs rarely grow taller than 30 cm and are usually 

much shorter. 

biennial/perennial herb Herbaceous plants (other than grasses, rushes and sedges) living longer 

than a year. Biennial herbs normally complete a life cycle in two years; 

‘tall herb’ is sometimes used to refer to herbs normally exceeding 1 m in 

height. 

annual/perennial grass Grasses are members of the Poaceae family. These share the characteristics 

of having usually hollow stems with simple linear flat or rolled leaves and 

specialised flowers without coloured petals. 

sedge Members of the Cyperaceae family. Like grasses they have specialised and 

distinctive flowering structures, but mostly have solid stems. 

rush Members of the Juncaceae family (one species in Qatar). 

climber Plants but which rely on other plants for support. They often take the form 

of long stems winding around the stems of other plants in spiral fashion. 

parasitic plant Plants lacking chlorophyll, and therefore having now green parts; usually 

growing on and obtaining nutrients from roots or stems of other plants. 

Box 3. Terms used to describe local abundance 

dominant Species forming the greatest proportion of biomass of the vegetation of a 

localised area or habitat and usually also the highest percentage cover of 

all species present. Such species are often used to define vegetation types. 

The term is not used here to refer to the most numerous or highest cover 

species in sparse desert vegetation, as this can be misleading. 

abundant Species that are very numerous over an area or habitat and are often 

characteristic of it, usually contributing a high proportion of the plant 

biomass and/or vegetation cover. 

frequent Species that are numerous in a particular area or habitat type and often 

characteristic of it, though not normally contributing a high proportion 

of the total biomass or vegetation cover. 

occasional Species occurring at low frequency wherever they occur, contributing very 

little to the total biomass of the vegetation or to the cover. 

Uses 

This section summarises the main cultural and economic uses of plants, either recorded historically 

and traditionally or during the present-day, though the sources consulted often do not make a 

clear distinction between past and present. Mention is also made of the main desert species of 

importance for grazing and browsing animals, i.e. camels, sheep and goats (now ubiquitous over 

the Gulf and representing the biggest threat to the native flora). Poisonous species have also been 

highlighted in the accounts. 

Most of the information on medicinal uses has been summarised from the earlier floras or from 

Ghazanfar (1994) and Rizk & El-Ghazaly (1995). These have been cited in the text but the dates 

have not been repeated to save space. Only the well known or general uses have been mentioned 

here, so these publications should be consulted for more detailed information. A wealth of data 

is also available on the internet, due to the current widespread interest in herbal medicine. The 

authors of this checklist do not accept liability for any incorrect or misleading information given. 

Notes 

Additional taxonomic information and other notes are included here. 

Photographs and Illustrations (‘Photos’) 

This entry lists the page or plate numbers of photographs and other illustrations published in 

the floras covering the Gulf region. Line drawings and coloured illustrations are indicated by a 

superscript ‘L’ after the number. Line drawings in Miller & Cope (1996) and Cope (2007) have not 

been included. The publications have been referred to using abbreviated authors’ names as follows: 

El Amin El Amin, H.M (Arab Organization for Agricultural Development) (1983). Wild plants of 

Qatar. 

Bat Batanouny, K.H. (1981). Ecology and Flora of Qatar. 

Coll Collenette, S. (1999). Wildflowers of Saudi Arabia. 

Corn Cornes, M.D. & Cornes, C.D. (1989). The wild flowering plants of Bahrain. 

Daoud Daoud, H.S. & Al-Rawi, A. (1985). Flora of Kuwait. Volume 1: Dicotyledoneae. 

Ghaz Ghazanfar, S.A. (2003). Flora of Oman, Volume 1, Piperaceae–Primulacaea. [CD with book] 

Jong Jongbloed, M. et al. (2003). The comprehensive guide to the wildflowers of the United Arab 

Emirates. 

Mand Mandaville, J.P. (1990). Flora of Eastern Saudi Arabia. 

Phil Phillips, D.C. (1988). Wild flowers of Bahrain. A field guide to herbs, shrubs and trees. 

Pick Pickering, H. & Patzelt, A. (2008). Field guide to the wild plants of Oman. 

Shuaib Shuaib, L. (1995). Wild flowers of Kuwait. 

West Western, A.R. (1989). The flora of the United Arab Emirates: an introduction. 

Although not referenced here, Sheila Collenette’s earlier book, An illustrated guide to the flowers of 

Saudi Arabia (Collenette 1985), is also a valuable resource, as it contains a different selection of 

photographs to those shown in her later publication (Collenette 1990). Plate numbers for species 

illustrated in this checklist are given to the right of the scientific name. 

xii xiii

Map of the State of Qatar 

Map of the State of Qatar, showing main roads and principal localities mentioned in the text. 

Coordinates are shown in Qatar National Grid. 

PTERIDOPHyTA 

OPHIOGLOSSACEAE 

Ophioglossum polyphyllum A. Braun Plate 3 

Vernacular names: adder’s-tongue fern 

Growth form: Fern. Fl. Feb–Mar. 

status: Native. Local. First published record: Abdel Bari (1995); see also Abdel Bari (1997). Also 

recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional, N and S Qatar, sandy areas. 

uses: Used to be eaten as salad greens (Jongbloed et al.). 

Photos: Coll 629; Jong 7. 

GyMNOSPERMAE 

EPHEDRACEAE 

Ephedra foliata Boiss. 

Ephedra ciliata Fischer & C.A. Mey.; Ephedra peduncularis Boiss. 

Vernacular names: shrubby horsetail, ’alanda 

ةدنلع 

Growth form: Climber. Fl. Apr–May. 

status: Native. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy depressions, with Ziziphus or Acacia, N and C Qatar. 

uses: Batanouny mentions that protruding branches are usually ‘trimmed’ by camels. ‘Certain 

plants of this genus yield ephedrine, used in the treatment of colds, asthma and hay fever’ (Cornes 

& Cornes). ‘The crushed boiled plant is used for tanning’ (El Amin). 

Photos: Bat 17; Coll 297; Corn 50; Jong 9; Phil 87; West 30. 

ANGIOSPERMAE: DICOTyLEDONEAE 

ACANTHACEAE 

OPHIOGLOSSACEAE / EPHEDRACEAE / ACANTHACEAE 

Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. Plates 1, 4 

Avicennia officinalis L. 

ةروش ,مرق 

Vernacular names: dwarf mangrove, qurm, shourah 

Growth form: Tree. Fl. Mar. 


habitat & distribution: Sheltered bays and creeks, often along the tide line; usually dominant 

where it occurs. Main surviving areas are at Umm Tais, Ras Laffan, Al Dhakhira, Al Khor, all in NE 

Qatar and Al Wakra. Abulfatih et al. report finding a stunted specimen in a muddy inlet on the W 

coast and suggested the conditions were too saline there. A Government programme to restore 

mangrove vegetation has been in place since 1988, with successful work being carried out at Ras 

Laffan, but recently a large area has been cleared at Al Wakra and some of the area at Al Khor has 

also been destroyed. Areas at Umm Tais and Al Dhakhira are protected as natural reserves. 

uses: Probably not very palatable to animals. ‘Sometimes browsed by camels when other plants are 

not available’ (Mandaville). ‘White mangrove is a source of tannin’ (Cornes & Cornes). The bark, 

roots and seeds have various medicinal uses. 

Photos: El Amin 2; Coll 745; Corn 36, 196; Jong 196, 197; Mand 174; Phil 28, 29; Pick 225; West 125. 

xiv 1

ACANTHACEAE / AIZOACEAE 

Blepharis ciliaris (L.) B.L. Burtt Plate 2 

Blepharis edulis auct. 

Vernacular names: eyelash plant, shawk al-Dub, naqi’, niqeyl 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Mar–Apr. 

status: Native. Local. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

ليقن ,يقن ,بضلا كوش 

habitat & distribution: Occasional, on compact stony and gravelly soils; mainly in C Qatar; rare in 

the west. El Amin recorded along the road from Al Sheehaniyah (where it still common) to Dukhan; 

it also occurs along the road to Al Zubarah (RR). 

uses: Grazed by camels but not by sheep or goats (El Amin). The roots are ground to make a 

powder (kohl) and used to treat eye inflammation and cataracts. The seeds have healing and antiinflammatory 

properties (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: Bat 93; Coll 5; Jong 106; Mand 196; Pick 15; West 135. 

AIZOACEAE 

Aizoon canariense L. Plate 6 

قدح ,ةنفج 

Vernacular names: jafnah, hadaq 


status: Native. Very common. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. habitat & 

distribution: Frequent; usually on harder substrates with shallow deposits of sand. uses: Eaten by 

camels; leaves are eaten in salads. 

Photos: El Amin 1; Bat 19; Coll 12; Corn 5, 53; Daoud 151; Jong 109; Mand 14; Phil 59, 60; Pick 91; Shuaib 

86; West 35. 

Aizoon hispanicum L. 

Vernacular names: jafnah 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Mar–May. 

status: Native. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Coarse gravels, sandy depressions and runnels; C Qatar. 

Photos: Coll 12; Corn 53; Daoud 149, 150; Mand 15; Shuaib 87. 

Mesembryanthemum cryptanthum Hook. f. Plate 5 

Mesembryanthemum forskahlii Hochst. ex Boiss.; Opophytum forskahlii (Hochst. ex Boiss.) N.E. Br. 

لوساغ ,حمس 

Vernacular names: samH, ghasool 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Apr. 

status: Native. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Noted in two places in western Qatar, 2007 (JN), including one site on 

the outskirts of Dukhan township and another south of Umm Bab; both on compact, calcareous 

soils. Also Al Khor island (RR). Batanouny cited a record by Boulos (1978). 

uses: Ground seeds are used in making bread and other foodstuffs. 

Photos: Coll 13; Corn 54; Mand 16; Phil 61. 

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum L. Plate 7 

Cryophytum nodiflorum (L.) L. Bolus 

لوساغ ,حمس ,رح 

Vernacular names: Egyptian fig marigold, hurr, samH, ghasool 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Mar–Apr. 

ةنفج 

status: Native. Common. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Frequent in dried out saline areas, such as the edges of irrigated fields 

and along beaches, on compacted sand or other soils; mainly NE Qatar. 

Photos: Coll 13; Corn 54; Daoud 152, 153; Jong 110; Phil 62; Shuaib 87. 

Zaleya pentandra (L.) C. Jeffrey 

Trianthema pentandra L. 

Vernacular names: lami 

Growth form: Annual or perennial herb. Fl. Dec–Mar. 

status: Introduced. Rare. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A weed of waste ground. 

Photos: Jong 113; West 36. 

AMARANTHACEAE 

Aerva javanica (Burm. f.) Juss. ex Schult. 

Aerva persica (Burm. f.) Merr.; Aerva tomentosa Forssk. 

Vernacular names: tuwaim, Tirf, ra’ 

ءار ,فرط ,ميوت 

Growth form: Small shrub. Fl. Feb–Mar. 

status: Native. Common. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent on rocky substrates with shallow sand, or in silty 

and sandy depressions. 

uses: Several authors note that the flower heads were formerly used by the bedouin for stuffing 

saddles, pillows and cushions. Used as a remedy for toothache and dermatitis, and an infusion 

is used to reduce swelling (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). Flowers are used as a wound dressing and to stop 

bleeding; liquid from the roots is used to treat eye diseases in cattle in Saudi Arabia (Ghazanfar). 

Photos: El Amin 3; Bat 31; Coll 33; Corn 58; Ghaz 54; Jong 115; Mand 52; Phil 26, 27; Pick 149; West 53, 54. 

Amaranthus graecizans L. 

Vernacular names: quTayf, sindar 

ردنس ,فيطق 


status: Introduced. Common. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in cultivated and disturbed areas, including farms and gardens. 

uses: Leaves are used as an emollient; crushed leaves are applied to scorpion stings, snake bites, 

irritating or itchy rashes (Ghazanfar). 

Photos: Bat 32; Coll 35; Corn 61; Jong 118; Pick 200; West 54. 

Amaranthus hybridus L. 

Amaranthus chlorostachys Willd. 

Vernacular names: rowaf 


status: Introduced. Local. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A weed of cultivated fields and gardens. 

Photos: Bat 32; Coll 35; Jong 119. 

AIZOACEAE / AMARANTHACEAE 

2 3 

يملا 

فاور

AMARANTHACEAE / APIACEAE 

Amaranthus viridis L. 

Amaranthus gracilis Desf. 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in cultivated and disturbed areas, including farms and gardens. 

uses: Used in the treatment in a wide variety of stomach complaints and as a laxative (Rizk & El- 

Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 1; Bat 32; Coll 37; Corn 61; Jong 120. 

APIACEAE 

Ammi majus L. 

Vernacular names: Bishop’s weed, khillah, nayniya 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Apr–May. 

status: Introduced. Also recorded: Kuwait, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Cultivated areas. 

ةينين ,ةلخ 

uses: Used in the Middle East for centuries as a treatment for particular skin diseases (Rizk & El- 

Ghazaly). 

Photos: Coll 722; Jong 531; Pick 151; Shuaib 59; West 106. 

Anethum graveolens L. 

Vernacular names: dill 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Feb–Apr. 

status: Introduced. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 


uses: Leaves and seeds used as salad, also used as a herb and spice in cooking for its aniseed-like 

flavouring, e.g. to flavour rice dishes. Numerous medicinal uses are described by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 

Photos: Bat 75; Coll 722; Jong 532; West 106. 

Bupleurum semicompositum L. 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Mar. 

status: Native. Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Very rare on sandy soils (Batanouny). Mainly a coastal species in the Gulf. 

Photos: Coll 724; Daoud 172 L ; Shuaib 58. 

Foeniculum vulgare (L.) Mill. 

Vernacular names: fennel, shamar 

رمش 

Growth form: Biennial or perennial herb. Fl. Mar–May. 

status: Introduced. Local. Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: An occasional escape, e.g. along irrigated roadsides. 

uses: Cultivated for its aniseed-flavoured seeds, which are widely used in Asian cooking. Numerous 

medicinal uses are described by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 

Photos: Coll 730. 

Torilis nodosa (L.) Gaertn. 


status: Introduced. Rare. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Details not noted by Abdel Bari, but recorded from wadis and plantations 

in the UAE (Jongbloed). 

Photos: Jong 537. 

APOCYNACEAE 

Nerium oleander L. 

Nerium mascatense DC. 

Vernacular names: common oleander, Haban 

Growth form: Tree. Fl. All year. 

status: Introduced. Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Not known but widespread throughout the Gulf; native to parts of UAE 

and Oman. 

uses: Widely planted in towns for shade and landscaping. The bitter roots are used medicinally, 

including as a diuretic and emetic. Ghazanfar states that the leaves are used for the treatment of 

bronchitis and coughs in Arabia. 

Photos: Jong 125; Pick 47; West 110. 

ASCLEPIADACEAE 

APIACEAE / APOCyNACEAE / ASCLEPIADACEAE 

Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton Plate 8 

راخشأ ,راشع 

Vernacular names: Sodom’s apple, ’ushar, ashkhar 

Growth form: Shrub or tree. Fl. May–Jul. 

status: Native. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: In Qatar mainly in disturbed areas where there is run-off of rainwater 

or irrigation, such as including farms, roadsides and gardens. Rarely away from habitation. Not 

included in the accounts by Batanouny or El Amin, but was probably less common in the past. 

uses: Not edible and probably poisonous. Mandaville discusses the toxicity in some detail. He also 

notes that it is ‘well known to many bedouin who remember the shrub as the source of wood used 

in preparation of the best charcoal for the manufacture of black gunpowder’. Leaves and latex are 

used for treating wounds, pain, scorpion stings and for strengthening muscles affected by paralysis 

(Ghazanfar). 

Photos: Coll 52; Corn 37; Jong 128, 129; Phil 133; Pick 21; Shuaib 83; West 111. 

Glossonema varians (Stocks) Benth. ex Hook. f. Plates 9, 10 

Glossonema edule N.E. Br. 

)ةرمثلا( ةوارج ,)هتبنلا( رتع 

Vernacular names: ’itr (plant), jarawah (fruit) 



habitat & distribution: Frequent to abundant, or locally dominant in shallow sandy runnels and 

depressions on gravel plains and hamada; mostly S Qatar. 

uses: ‘Whole plant is good fodder; fruit eaten by animals’ (El Amin); Mandaville also states that 

the very young leaves and raw young fruits are edible. 

Photos: El Amin 1; Bat 77 L ; Coll 65; Corn 162; Jong 132; Mand 155; Phil 134; Pick 94; West 112. 

4 5 

نابح

ASCLEPIADACEAE / ASTERACEAE 

Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne. Plate 11 

Vernacular names: burning bush, desert broom, markh 

خرم 

Growth form: Shrub or tree. Fl. Mar–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy habitats. Although a dominant component of the 

coastal vegetation over much of the Gulf, it prefers non-saline, fairly deep sand and therefore is 

restricted in Qatar, mainly to western coastal areas. In NE Qatar it is rare near the coast at Dukhan 

(JN) and locally frequent at Ras Abrouq (SAM); grazed, stunted specimens have been seen at Al 

Kharrarah (RR). 

uses: Eaten by camels (El Amin). Young flowers and fruits ‘considered edible by southern tribesmen’ 

(Mandaville). Pickering & Patzelt (2008) note that the buds are edible and that dried hair from 

the seeds is used as kindling. An infusion made from the stems is taken as a diuretic (Ghazanfar). 

Photos: El Amin 1; Bat 78; Coll 70; Corn 165; Jong 133; Phil 132, 135; Pick 95; West 113. 

ASTERACEAE 

Aaronsohnia factorovskyi Warb. & Eig Plate 13 


status: Native. Local. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional or locally frequent in small sandy or silty depressions; C and 

S Qatar. 

uses: ‘The plant is sometimes eaten raw by bedouin, who may also use it in the preparation of iqt 

(dried sour milk cakes)’ (Mandaville citing Dickson 1955). 

Photos: Bat 95; Coll 166; Mand 210, 211; Shuaib 111. 

Artemisia inculta Delile 

Artemisia sieberi Besser; Artemisia herba-alba Asso 

Vernacular names: shiH 

حيش 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. May. 

status: Native. Rare. Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny at a single location along the road N of Doha, 

in a small depression. 

uses: The plant is known to have anti-microbial properties and is used as an antiseptic and an 

insecticide. Rizk & Ghazaly list many medicinal uses, including treatment for stomach complaints, 

coughs, bronchitis and to cure nervous troubles. 

Photos: None. 

Atractylis carduus (Forssk.) C. Chr. Plate 14 

Atractylis flava Desf. 

خيوش ,ينوميل ,ةولج 

Vernacular names: white thistle, jalwa, laymoony, shuwwaykh 

Growth form: Annual or perennial herb. Fl. Mar–Apr. 

status: Native. ?Common. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy habitats. Previously recorded from Al Karaanah, Al 

Wakra and Wadi Al Banat and recently from Al Kharrarah and other parts of W Qatar. 

uses: El Amin reported that it is not liked by animals but eaten by camels when nothing else is 

available. 

Photos: El Amin 7; Bat 96; Coll 174; Corn 204; Jong 143; Phil 67; Shuaib 115. 

Calendula arvensis (Vaill.) L. 

Vernacular names: field marigold, Hanwa 


status: Introduced. Common. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional as a weed of disturbed areas and silty depressions. 

Photos: El Amin 38 L ; Bat 97; Coll 175; Jong 144; Phil 68; Shuaib 107. 

Calendula tripterocarpa Rupr. 


status: Native. Rare. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Sandy and gravelly soils in rodat; C Qatar. 

Photos: Coll 175; Mand 214. 

Carthamnus eriocephalus (Boiss.) Greuter 

Carduncellus eriocephalus Boiss. 

Vernacular names: kharshooT, lowmeya 

ةيمول ,طوشرخ 


status: Native. Local. Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in rocky areas. El Amin recorded from Jebel Dukhan and 

Wadi Al Banat. 

Photos: None. 

Centaurea sinaica DC. Plate 15 

Centaurea pseudosinaica Mouterde, non Czerep. 

Vernacular names: birkan, murrar 

رارم ,ناكرب 

Growth form: Annual or biennial herb. Fl. Mar–Jul. 

status: Native. Common. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in shallow sandy deposits. 

Photos: El Amin 7; Bat 97, 101; Coll 178; Jong 148; Mand 224, 225; Pick 99; Shuaib 116; West 141. 

Cichorium pumilum Jacq. 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Summer. 

status: Introduced. Rare. Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: A weed in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) fields (Batanouny). 

Photos: None. 

ASTERACEAE 

Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. 

Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. 

Vernacular names: false daisy 


status: Introduced. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded from a single location by Batanouny, but occurs in irrigated 

lawns and other damp places elsewhere in the Gulf, so may be more widespread now in Qatar. 

uses: Rizk & El-Ghazaly list numerous cosmetic and medicinal uses. 

Photos: Coll 191; Corn 207; Jong 155; Mand 207; Pick 156; West 142. 

6 7 

ةونح

ASTERACEAE 

Erigeron bonariensis L. 

Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Mar–Sep. 

status: Introduced. Local. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional, in gardens and cultivated areas. 

uses: Flowering branches are used as an antirheumatic and diuretic; the aerial part is used in the 

treatment of liver and urinary diseases, and stomach ulcers (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 7; Bat 97; Coll 182; Jong 151; Shuaib 108. 

Filago desertorum Pomel Plate 12 

Filago spathulata C. Presl forma desertorum (Pomel) Pamp. 

Vernacular names: quTeyna 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in shallow sand, especially depressions and runnels. 

uses: El Amin noted that the plant is eaten by ‘rabbits’ (i.e. Cape Hare Lepus capensis). 

Photos: El Amin 40 L ; Bat 98; Coll 192; Corn 208; Jong 156; Phil 69; West 143. 

[Filago prolifera Pomel] 


status: First published record: Obeid (1975). Not in other Gulf floras. 

notes: Not confirmed for Qatar. Batanouny and El Amin did not see this species, and it does 

not seem to have been recorded by other botanists in Arabia, so the record may be in error for F. 

desertorum. 

Photos: none. 

Flaveria trinervia (Spreng.) C. Mohr 


status: Introduced. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Frequent in irrigated, cultivated areas. Noted as a ‘serious weed’ in some 

regions by Cornes & Cornes. 

Photos: Coll 193; Corn 208; Jong 157; West 143. 

Glebionis coronaria (L.) Spach 

Chrysanthemum coronarium L. 

Vernacular names: crown daisy 


status: Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded from irrigated lawns in Doha b Batanouny. 

uses: Medicinal uses are listed by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 


Gymnarrhena micrantha Desf. Plate 17 

Vernacular names: dog’s paw, camel’s eye 


ةنيطق 

بلكلا فك 


habitat & distribution: Occasional on gravel plains, stony or rocky areas, growing in thin sandy 

deposits. 

uses: Poisonous and animals avoid it (El Amin). 

Photos: El Amin 8; Coll 193; Jong 158; Mand 201; Shuaib 113. 

Ifloga spicata (Forssk.) Sch. Bip. Plate 18 

Vernacular names: Hasaj, shajarat al ’anz 


status: Native. Very common. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

زنعلا ةرجش ,جسح 

habitat & distribution: Frequent, on gravel plains, sand sheets, coastal sand and other areas with 

firm sandy soils; over most of Qatar. 

Photos: El Amin 40 L ; Coll 196; Corn 215; Jong 160; Mand 200; Phil 70; Shuaib 114; West 145. 

Koelpinia linearis Pall. Plate 19 

Vernacular names: goat’s beard, lahiat al-tais 

سيتلا ةيهلا 


status: Native. ?Local. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, 

UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A plant in fruit was photographed by S. Aspinall from SW Qatar in March 

2007 (see Plate). 

Photos: Coll 197; Corn 215; Jong 163; Phil 71; Shuaib 112. 

Laphangium luteoalbum (L.) Tzvelev 

Gnaphalium luteoalbum L. 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Not known. 

status: Introduced. ?Rare. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Not in other Gulf floras. 


Photos: None. 

Launaea capitata (Spreng.) Dandy 

Launaea glomerata (Cass.) Hook. f. 

Vernacular names: Hawa/Huwa 

Growth form: Biennial herb. Fl. Feb–Apr. 

status: Native. Very common. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Frequent in sandy and silty soils. 

uses: Edible to man and animals (El Amin). 

Photos: El Amin 8, 32 L ; Bat 100; Coll 200; Jong 165; Shuaib 109; West 145. 

Launaea goraeensis Hoffm. 


status: ?Native. ?Rare. Not confirmed for Qatar. Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Sandy soils in SE Qatar and Umm Bab (El Amin). 

Photos: None. 

ASTERACEAE 

8 9 

ةوح

ASTERACEAE 

Launaea mucronata (Forssk.) Muschl. 

Launaea cassiniana (Jaub. & Spach) Kuntze; Sonchus cassinianus Jaub. & Spach 

Vernacular names: Hawa/Huwa, ’atheed, yamroor, Hajaid, Safara 


status: Native. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

ةرفص ,ديجح ,رورمي ,ديثع ,ةوح 

habitat & distribution: Occasional on sandy or silty soils; often in disturbed areas around 

habitation. Occurs along parts of the NE coast and in sandy habitats in the south (MS). 

notes: Subspp. L m. mucronata and L.m. cassiana both occur in the Gulf, the latter often being 

treated as a separate species. 

Photos: El Amin 32 L ; Coll 201; Jong 167, 168; Mand 232; Phil 73; Shuaib 109; West 146. 

Launaea nudicaulis (L.) Hook. f. 

Vernacular names: Hawa/Huwa, Huwa ghanam, ghazzal 

لازغ ,منغ ةوح ,ةوح 

Growth form: Biennial or perennial herb. Fl. Feb–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Frequent in sandy habitats. 

uses: ‘The leaves are used to treat fevers and to stop excessive bleeding after childbirth’ (Ghazanfar). 

Rizk & El-Ghazaly also state that they are put on the heads of children to cure fever. 

Photos: El Amin 32 L ; Bat 102; Coll 202; Corn 216; Jong 169; Mand 233; Phil 74; Shuaib 110; West 147. 

Launaea procumbens (Roxb.) Ramayya & Rojagopal 

Launaea fallax (Jaub. & Spach) O. Kuntze 

Vernacular names: Hawa/Huwa 



habitat & distribution: Frequent in sandy habitats, including rodat, beaches and disturbed areas 

around habitation. 

Photos: El Amin 32 L ; Bat 100; Coll 202; Jong 170; Phil 75; West 147. 

Matricaria aurea (Loefl.) Sch. Bip. 


status: Native. Rare. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Silty depressions. 

uses: Chamomile tea is brewed from flower heads, ‘known to both bedouin and villagers’ 

(Mandaville) and is used for general stomach problems such as colic, cramps and stomach aches 

(Ghazanfar). 


Matricaria chamomilla L. 

Matricaria recutita L. 


status: Introduced. Rare. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded at Al Sheehaniyah and Doha. 

Photos: None. 

ةوح 

Pallenis hierichuntica (Michon) Greuter 

Asteriscus hierichunticus (Michon) Wiklund; Asteriscus pygmaeus (DC.) Coss. & Durieu; Odontospermum 

pygmaeum (DC.) O. Hoffm. 

Vernacular names: jahwayan 

نايوهج 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Feb–Mar. 

status: Native. Local. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Silty depressions, N and C Qatar (El Amin). 

uses: El Amin mentions that it is used by locals to clean and perfume their teeth. 

Photos: El Amin 6; Bat 95; Coll 173; Jong 141; Mand 206; Shuaib 113. 

Pentanema divaricatum Cass. 

Vicoa pentanema Aitch. & Hemsl. 

Vernacular names: zmiem al bar 



10 11 

ربلا ميمز 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy and silty depressions with Ziziphus trees. In Saudi 

Arabia Mandaville recorded it as a weed of disturbed ground around farms and roadsides. 

uses: The plant has antifungal and antibacterial properties. 

Photos: El Amin 40 L ; Bat 107; Jong 174; West 152. 

Picris aspleniodes L. 

Picris radicata (Forssk.) Less. 

Vernacular names: Hawdhan 


status: Native. Common. Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy depressions in S Qatar. 

Photos: El Amin 8; Bat 104; Coll 208. 

Picris cyanocarpa Boiss. 


status: Native. Local. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in saline sandy habitats. 


Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. 

Conyza dioscoridis (L.) Desf. 

ASTERACEAE 

Growth form: Perennial herb or shrub. Fl. Jan–Dec. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded only once by Batanouny, but the species is now widespread 

(Abdel Bari 1997). Plentiful in Phragmites ponds at Dukhan water treatment works in 2007 (JN). 

notes: There is a discussion on the taxonomy of this species in Mandaville (1990, p. 289). 

Photos: Coll 209; Jong 177; Pick 54. 

ناذوح

ASTERACEAE 

Pulicaria gnaphalodes (Vent.) Boiss. 

Pulicaria undulata Kostel. 

Vernacular names: jithjath, nafayj 

Growth form: Perennial herb or small shrub. Fl. Mar–May. 

status: Native. Common. Also recorded: Bahrain. 

جيفن ,ثاجثج 

habitat & distribution: Occasional at Ras Laffan and Mesaieed (JN), but absent from the west 

coast. Also listed by Abdel Bari as ‘widespread’. Appears to prefer compact or disturbed gravelly or 

silty soils, particularly in depressions and wadis. 

uses: ‘A plant unpalatable to grazing animals and flourishing where others are regularly grazed 

bare’ (Cornes & Cornes). 

notes: This is the species recorded by Batanouny as P. undulata, the name now given to Pulicaria 

crispa. At the time his flora was published P. crispa was known as Francoeuria crispa. 

Photos: El Amin 8; Bat 103; Corn 212; Phil 78. 

[Pulicaria sicula (L.) Moris] 


status: First published record: Obeid (1975). Not in other Gulf floras. 

notes: A North African species not recorded by other botanists in Arabia. Obeid’s record could 

relate to a casual occurrence of an introduced plant or be in error for another species. 

Photos: none. 

Pulicaria undulata (L.) C.A. Mey. Plate 16 

Francoeuria crispa (Forssk.) Cass.; Pulicaria crispa (Forssk.) Oliv. See note under P. gnaphalodes. 

لبجلا ياش ,ثاجثج 

Vernacular names: jithjath (and variations), shay el-jebel 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Mar–Jun. 


habitat & distribution: Often abundant in small silty depressions. Scattered plants may occur 

anywhere in sandy or silty habitats. 

uses: Various authors report its use in traditional medicine, including use as a diuretic. 

Photos: Bat 99 L , 103; Coll 210; Corn 211; Jong 183; Phil 77; Shuaib 111; West 149. 

Reichardia tingitana (L.) Roth Plate 20 

Reichardia orientalis (L.) Hochr. 

ناذوح ,ريرم 

Vernacular names: mureer, Hawdhan 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in shallow sandy deposits, sandy depressions and cultivated 

areas. 

uses: Those listed by Ghazanfar include treatment of colic, constipation, swollen and inflamed 

eyes, using the leaves. 

Photos: El Amin 9, 38 L ; Coll 212; Corn 34, 220; Jong 184; Mand 234; Phil 79; Pick 107; Shuaib 107; West 149. 

Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. Plate 21 

Vernacular names: ’arfaj 

جفرع 

Growth form: Small shrub. Fl. Mar–Jul. 


habitat & distribution: Being a favoured grazing species is rarely seen in quantity. Frequent in the 

western part of Ras Laffan Industrial City (JN 2004) where protected from grazing; very scattered 

in western Qatar in 2007. Batanouny and El Amin recorded mainly from S Qatar, where may still 

be locally abundant. Usually on thin, sandy or loamy deposits; often in rocky areas. 

uses: Widely documented as an important grazing plant. Several authors also mention its use for 

firewood. Used in the treatment of digestive disorders and for its antimicrobial properties (Rizk & 

El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 38 L ; Bat 105 L , 106; Coll 213; Jong 185; Mand 203, 204; Phil 80; Shuaib 111; West 150. 

Senecio glaucus L. 

Senecio coronopifolius Desf.; Senecio desfontainei Druce 

Vernacular names: mureer 

ريرم 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Jan–Mar. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional or locally frequent on sandy beaches and in cultivated 

depressions (Batanouny). Occurs at Al Wakra coast (El Amin), Ras Laffan (JN) and Umm Tais (RR). 

uses: Rizk & El-Ghazaly state that the plant contains alkaloids and is toxic to animals and humans. 

notes: The plant in the Gulf is S. glaucus subsp. coronopifolius (Maire) C. Alexander. 

Photos: El Amin 9; Coll 217; Corn 223; Jong 188; Mand 212, 213; Phil 66, 81; Shuaib 107; West 150. 

Senecio vulgaris L. 

Vernacular names: groundsel 



habitat & distribution: A weed of irrigated, cultivated places. 

uses: Medicinal uses are described by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 


Sonchus asper (L.) Hill 

Vernacular names: prickly sowthistle 


status: Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: An occasional weed of gardens and other cultivated places. 

Photos: Coll 219; Corn 224. 

Sonchus maritimus L. 

ASTERACEAE 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Apr–May. 


habitat & distribution: Reported from a farm near Al Khor by El Amin. 

notes: A typographical error in El Amin’s book (p. 41) inadvertently put this species into the genus 

Senecio, but the record in any case seems doubtful as this species is not recorded elsewhere in the 

Gulf. 

Photos: None. 

12 13

ASTERACEAE 

Sonchus oleraceus L. 

Vernacular names: smooth sow-thistle, wild lettuce, aldheid 

Growth form: Annual or biennial herb. Fl. Feb–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: An occasional weed of cultivation. 

uses: The leaves and sap have numerous medicinal properties. 

Photos: Bat 106; Coll 219; Corn 224; Jong 190; Phil 82; Shuaib 109; West 151. 

Sonchus tenerrimus L. 

Growth form: Annual or biennial herb. Fl. Apr–May. 

status: Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A weed of cultivation. 


Symphyotrichum squamatum (Spreng.) G.L. Nesom 

Aster squamatus (Spreng.) Hieron. 

نايوهج 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Mar–May. 

status: Introduced. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Frequent. Batanouny noted that it grew profusely as a weed in some 

irrigated rodat in N Qatar. An increasing species in the Middle East. 

notes: Shown on Plate 7 of El Amin, where labelled ‘Conyza maritima’, but there is no text entry. 

Photos: El Amin 7; Bat 96; Coll 173; Corn 203. 

Vernacular names: jahwayan 

Tripleurospermum auriculatum (Boiss.) Rech. f. 

Matricaria auriculata (Boiss.) Muschl. 

Vernacular names: zafira, daqiqa, qaraiS 



ديذلا 

صيرق ,ةقيقد ,هريفز 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in silty rodat in N and C Qatar, often under Acacia and Ziziphus. 

uses: ‘Said to be eaten with stews’ (El Amin). 

Photos: El Amin 9; Bat 107; Coll 222; Corn 218. 

Urospermum picroides (L.) F.W. Schmidt 


status: Native. ?Rare. First published record: Abulfatih et al. (2001) (included in a list of species 

recorded). Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A plant of rocky areas. 

Photos: Coll 222; Jong 192; Shuaib 108; West 151. 

Xanthium spinosum L. 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Jun. 


habitat & distribution: Cultivated fields; N Qatar. 

uses: The plant is used in the treatment of diabetes, rabies and other diseases and medical 

conditions; the leaves have diuretic properties. Poisoning of cattle from the plant has been reported 

(Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 


BORAGINACEAE 

Anchusa hispida Forssk. Plate 24 

Gastrocotyle hispida (Forssk.) Bunge 

سيسبنع ,سمر 

Vernacular names: rims, ’anbasees 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy areas and silty depressions; especially N and C Qatar. 

Photos: Bat 84; Coll 88; Corn 173; Daoud 243; Jong 200; Phil 48; Shuaib 66; West 121. 

Arnebia decumbens (Vent.) Coss. & Kralik 

ASTERACEAE / BORAGINACEAE 

Vernacular names: Arabian primrose, kaHal 

لحاك 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in C and W Qatar. Previously recorded from Salwa and Jebel 

Dukhan, on saline, sandy soils. 

uses: The deep red root is used by bedouin women as a cosmetic (rouge). 

Photos: El Amin 2; Coll 82; Corn 170; Daoud 237; Jong 201; Phil 45; Shuaib 66. 

Arnebia hispidissima (Lehm.) DC. Plate 22 

بنرلأا ةشيشح ,حيلم ,لحاك 

Vernacular names: Arabian primrose, Prophet flower, 

kaHil, melleiH, Hasheshat al ’arneb 

Growth form: Annual or biennial herb. Fl. Mar–Apr. 

status: Native. Very common. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Abundant on shallow sandy deposits in all habitat types except saline 

areas. Perhaps more abundant in S and SW Qatar. 

uses: ‘Women formerly used the powdery red dust, that rubs off the thick dark-red roots of these 

plants, as a cosmetic’ (Cornes & Cornes). Root strongly red and probably used as a dye (Mandaville). 

The cosmetic use also recorded for the UAE. The whole plant is used for fevers including malaria 

(Ghazanfar). 

Photos: El Amin 2; Bat 83; Coll 83; Corn 170; Jong 202; Mand 171; Phil 46; Pick 108; West 120. 

Echiochilon jugatum I.M. Johnst. Plate 23 

Echiochilon kotschyi (Boiss. & Hohen.) I.M. Johnst.; Lithospermum kotschyi (Boiss. & Hohen.) I.M. 

Johnst. 

Vernacular names: stoneseed, najmat al bar 

ربلا ةمجن 

Growth form: Shrublet or small shrub. Fl. Feb–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional on compact soils at Ras Laffan and other coastal areas in the 

NE (JN, MS). 

Photos: Bat 84; Coll 87; Corn 173; Jong 206; Phil 47; West 121. 

14 15

BORAGINACEAE 

Echium horridum Batt. 



habitat & distribution: Previously recorded from SW Qatar in sandy habitats. 

uses: Reported by El Amin to help urine complaints and to give relief from fever. 

Photos: None. 

Heliotropium bacciferum Forssk. Plate 25 

Heliotropium crispum Desf.; Heliotropium kotschyi (Bunge) Gürke 

Vernacular names: turnsole, heliotrope, ramram, dhanab al-’aqrab 

برقعلا بنذ ,مارمر 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Mar–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Frequent to abundant or sometimes dominant in sandy, often compacted 

soils, including coastal beach sand. Also in disturbed areas by roadsides and around towns and 

villages. 

uses: Dried powdered leaves are used as a poultice for abscesses, boils, sprains and swellings (Rizk 

& El-Ghazaly). Also used for treating ulcers, mouth blisters and snake bites (Ghazanfar). 

Photos: El Amin 2; Bat 85; Coll 89; Corn 174; Daoud 240; Jong 210; Mand 167; Phil 44, 51; Pick 160; Shuaib 

67; West 123. 

Heliotropium ramosissimum (Lehm.) Sieb. 

Vernacular names: ramram 

مارمر 



habitat & distribution: Occasional on gravelly or sandy soils. Prevously recorded for N Qatar, 

but also found in the south. 

uses: Medicinal uses are similar to those recorded for H. bacciferum. 

Photos: Coll 91; Corn 177; Phil 52. 

Heliotropium zeylanicum (Burm. f.) Lam. 

Growth form: Herb. Fl. Not known. 

status: Introduced. ?Rare. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). The salt-tolerant plant H. 

curassavicum L. is also very likely to occur in Qatar in gardens and farms. Not in other Gulf floras. 


Photos: None. 

Lappula spinocarpos (Forssk.) Asch. ex Kuntze 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in silty depressions and gravelly soils. 

Photos: Bat 86; Coll 93; Daoud 241, 242; Jong 217; Mand 169; Shuaib 68. 

Moltkiopsis ciliata (Forssk.) I.M. Johnst. 

Lithospermum callosum Vahl 

Plate 27 

Vernacular names: Halam/Halamah, ghabshah 

هشبغ ,ةملح 

Growth form: Shrublet or small shrub. Fl. Mar–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Frequent on sand sheets, depressions and other sandy areas. 


Ogastemma pusillum (Coss. & Durand ex Bonnet & Baratte) Brummitt Plate 26 



habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent on hard ground, including hamada and other 

rocky areas. Not mentioned by earlier authors and thought to have been discovered new to Qatar in 

2007; however it is probable that there has been confusion with the very similar Lappula spinocarpos. 

Photos: Coll 94; Jong 219; Shuaib 68. 

BRASSICACEAE 

Anastatica hierochuntica L. Plates 28, 29 

ةئيفق ,ناقرب ,ةمطاف عيمج ,ءارذعلا فك ,ميرم فك 

Vernacular names: rose of Jericho, virgin’s hand 

kaf Maryam, kaf al athra, jumay’ faTimah, birkan, qufay’ah 



habitat & distribution: Occasional to abundant in shallow sandy deposits, including runnels and 

small depressions. The plant is extremely common just west of Kharrarah (RR). 

uses: Its use as a charm and herbal aid in childbirth is widely reported. Batanouny mentions that 

it is sold in markets of Qatar as well as other Arabian countries. The dried plant is soaked in water 

and when it has unfurled the water is drunk by the expectant mother. Further information is given 

in Phillips and Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 

Photos: El Amin 11; Bat 36; Coll 246; Corn 98; Daoud 87 L ; Ghaz 184, 185; Jong 223; Mand 84, 85; Phil 

142, 143; West 60. 

Brassica rapa L. 

Vernacular names: turnip 


status: Introduced. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Farms and cultivated areas. 

uses: A widely cultivated vegetable. Has been used in the treatment of various medical conditions 

including arthritis, chest-colds, dysentery, fever, mastitis, rheumatism, scurvy and skin ailments 



Brassica tournefortii Gouan 

Vernacular names: qarraS, shiltam 


status: ?Native. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 


Photos: Coll 249; Daoud 83, 84; Jong 224; Shuaib 60. 

BORAGINACEAE / BRASSICACEAE 

16 17 

متلش ,صارق

BRASSICACEAE 

Carrichtera annua (L.) DC. 


status: Native. Rare. First record: SW Qatar, March 2007 (JN). Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi 

Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: A single plant in fruit growing in thin soil on a rocky summit. 

Photos: Coll 250; Daoud 94, 95, 96; Shuaib 63. 

Eremobium aegyptiacum (Spreng.) Asch. & Sweinf. ex Boiss. Plate 30 

Eremobium lineare (Delile) Boiss. 


status: Native. Local. First record?: SW Qatar, March 2007 (JN & S. Aspinall). Miller & Cope 

mention a record for which there is no supporting specimen. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional, mainly on compact, gravelly soils in SW Qatar (found in 2007 

at several scattered localities following winter rains). Elsewhere in the Gulf area it is a widespread 

plant of deeper sand, becoming locally abundant after rains. Gravel and sand forms have been 

noted by Collenette (see Miller & Cope). 

Photos: Coll 253; Jong 231; Mand 95; West 61. 

Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav. 

Eruca sativa Mill. 

Vernacular names: rocket, jirjeer 

ريجرج 

Growth form: Annual or biennial herb. Fl. Feb–Apr. 

status: Introduced. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A weed in gardens and other cultivated areas. 

uses: Eaten in salads. The whole plant is considered an aphrodisiac and considered a cure for a 

wide range of medical conditions, including inflammations, ulcers, stomach-ache, epilepsy and 

toothache (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: Coll 253; Daoud 89; Jong 232; Shuaib 61. 

[Erucaria crassifolia (Forssk.) Delile] 


status: Not confirmed for Qatar. Not in other Gulf floras. 

notes: Miller & Cope note that it is recorded from Qatar by Batanouny (1981) and the UAE by 

Western. However, they remark that no verified material has been seen and the occurrence of the 

species in Arabia needs confirmation. Batanouny reported it as growing ‘especially in rodat in N 

Qatar’. 

Photos: The plant identified as E. crassifolia is shown in Bat 37 and West 61. 

Erucaria hispanica (L.) Druce 

Erucaria lineariloba Boiss. 

Vernacular names: pink mustard 



habitat & distribution: Recorded by El Amin from rodat in N Qatar. 

Photos: Coll 254; Jong 233; Phil 144; West 62. 

Farsetia heliophila Bunge ex Cosson Plate 31 

Farsetia hamiltonii Royle; Farsetia arabica Boulos 

Growth form: Perennial herb or shrublet. Fl. Mar–May. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional in thin sandy or silty deposits in stony or rocky areas. Frequent 

at Abu Nakhla sewage ponds (RR). 

notes: Records of Farsetia linearis Decne. ex Boiss. in the Gulf are in error for F. heliophila according 

to Miller & Cope. 

Photos: Corn 101; Jong 234; Phil 145. 

Lepidium aucheri Boiss. 

Vernacular names: rashad bari 


status: Native. Rare. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: A species of silty depressions which have held rainwater. 

Photos: Coll 257; Daoud 84 L . 

18 19 

يرب داشر 

Lepidium didymum L. 

Coronopus didymus (L.) Sm. 

Vernacular names: swine-cress 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. All year. 

status: Introduced. Local. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Also recorded: E Saudi 

Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: This species is a recent colonist in the Gulf; it is only included in the most 

recent flora for the region (Jongbloed et al.). In Qatar it is likely to occur in irrigated lawns and 

roadsides. 


Lepidium sativum L. 

Vernacular names: garden cress 


status: Introduced. ?Rare. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Also recorded: Kuwait. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded from a roadside. 

uses: A salad herb. Various medicinal uses are reported. 

Photos: Coll 258; Shuaib 61. 

Matthiola longipetala (Vent.) DC. 



habitat & distribution: Previously recorded from Al Wakra and Salwa. 

Photos: El Amin 50 L ; Coll 261; Daoud 108, 109, 11; Shuaib 62. 

Raphanus sativus L. 

Vernacular names: radish, fijl 


BRASSICACEAE 

لجف

BRASSICACEAE 

status: Introduced. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: An escape from cultivation in farm areas. 

uses: Widely grown as a salad vegetable. A wide variety of medicinal benefits and uses are described. 


Savignya parviflora (Delile) Webb Plate 32 

Vernacular names: jirjees, kuljuman, jiljilan 



نلاجلج ,نامجلك ,سيجرج 

habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent on rocky ground and shallow, compacted sand; 

especially SW Qatar. 

uses: Rizk & El-Ghazaly report that in Bahrain the leaves are used as purgative and hypoglycaemic. 

Photos: El Amin 50 L ; Bat 37; Coll 264; Corn 105; Daoud 97, 98,; Jong 241; Mand 79; Phil 146; Shuaib 62; 

West 64. 

Schimpera arabica Hochst. & Steud. ex Steud. 

Schimpera persica Boiss. 


status: Native. Rare. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Usually occurs on silty sand; recorded from S Qatar. 

Photos: Coll 264; Daoud 102, 103; Mand 86, 87; Shuaib 63; West 65. 

Sinapis arvensis L. 

Vernacular names: wild mustard, khardal 


status: Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A weed of cultivated and irrigated areas. 


Sisymbrium erysimoides Desf. 

Vernacular names: thuwaT 



habitat & distribution: Recorded from N and C Qatar in silty or sandy rodat; often associated 

with Ziziphus nummularia trees. 

Photos: El Amin 52 L ; Coll 265; Jong 243; Pick 110; West 65. 

Sisymbrium irio L. 


status: Introduced. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A weed of cultivation, irrigated soils and waste ground. 

Photos: Coll 266; Daoud 117; Jong 244; Shuaib 60. 

Sisymbrium orientale L. 


لدرخ 

طاوث 


habitat & distribution: A weed of lawns (Batanouny) and waste ground (Abdel Bari). 

Photos: El Amin 11; Bat 37; Coll 266. 

Zilla spinosa (L.) Prantl 

Vernacular names: shaja, silla, shubrum 

مربش ,لايس ,اجش 

Growth form: Small shrub. Fl. Mar–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional or frequent in SW Qatar in sandy and silty depressions. 

The village of Umm al Shubrum is named after the plant, which occurs in the area. Also found at 

Mekainis, Al Kharrarah and Umm Slal Mohammed (MS). 

uses: ‘A useful remedy in the treatment of ailments such as kidney stones’ (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: Coll 267; Daoud 93; Jong 245; Mand 76; West 66. 

CAPPARACEAE 

Capparis spinosa L. 

Vernacular names: common caper, shafallaH 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Mar. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional in stony and rocky areas and compact silty soils in depressions 

and by roads; mainly in NE Qatar. 

uses: Buds are cooked and pickled and used as flavouring in cooking (El Amin). The leaves of the 

plant are used for treating earache, coughs, expelling stomach worms and for diabetes. (Ghazanfar). 

Rizk & El-Ghazaly also list numerous other medicinal uses. 

notes: There are two widespread varieties in Arabia: var. spinosa (C. aegyptiaca Lam., C.s. var. 

aegyptia) and var. mucronifolia (Boiss.) Hedge & Lamond. For Qatar earlier authors recorded var. 

spinosa (the form often seen by roadsides), but Miller & Cope also list var. mucronifolia (of rocky 

areas). 

Photos: El Amin 3; Bat 33 L ; Coll 108; Corn 106; Ghaz 165; Jong 248; Mand 69, 70; Phil 57, 58; West 57. 

Cleome amblyocarpa Barratte & Murb. 

Cleome africana Botsch. 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy saline depressions. 

uses: Jongbloed et al. note its use to treat abdominal and rheumatic pains. 


Cleome brachycarpa Vahl ex DC. 

Growth form: Annual or short-lived perennial. Fl. Dec–Mar. 

status: Native. Rare. Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded from Al Khor by Batanouny. 

Photos: Bat 34; Coll 110; Ghaz 170; Jong 251; West 57. 

BRASSICACEAE / CAPPARACEAE 

20 21 

حلفش

CAPPARACEAE / CARyOPHyLLACEAE 

Cleome noeana Boiss. 

Cleome dolichostyla Jafri 

Growth form: Annual or perennial herb, or small shrub. Fl. May–Aug. 

status: Native. Rare. First published record: Miller & Cope (1996). Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Gravel desert on the north coast (Miller & Cope). 

notes: Only subsp. noeana occurs in Qatar; subsp. brachystyla (Deflers) Chamberlain & Lamond is 

found elsewhere in Arabia. The plant named as C. dolichostyla Jafri in Arabia is included within C. 

noeana by Miller & Cope. 

Photos: Jong 253, West 58. 

Cleome scaposa DC. 

Vernacular names: DHefra, zefra 

Growth form: Annual or short-lived perennial. Fl. Apr. 

status: Native. Local. Also recorded: UAE. 

ةرفز ,ةرفظ 

habitat & distribution: Rocky places; previously recorded N of Doha by Batanouny and recently 

in a few sites in NE Qatar (MS). 

Photos: Bat 35; Coll 112; Ghaz 169; Jong 255. 

Dipterygium glaucum Decne. Plate 33 

Vernacular names: ’alqa 

ةقلع 

Growth form: Perennial herb or shrublet. Fl. Mar. 

status: Native. Local. First record: SW Qatar, March 2007 (JN and S. Aspinall). Also recorded: E 

Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: In moderately firm sand mixed with gravel, and similar habitats. A species 

also of stable sand dunes in some other parts of the Gulf. 

uses: ‘Of some importance for grazing in more remote regions’ (Mandaville). 

Photos: Coll 113; Ghaz 176-8; Jong 256; Pick 117; West 59. 

CARYOPHYLLACEAE 

Herniaria hemistemon J. Gay Plate 34 

Vernacular names: um waja’ alkabid, ghebayra 

ةريبغ ,دبكلا عجو مأ 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Feb–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Frequent on compact or thin soils over most of Qatar. 

uses: ‘Good fodder’ (El Amin). The scientific name refers to its use in treating hernias (mentioned 

for Europe by Jongbloed et al.). It is used in Bahrain as a diuretic and purgative (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: Bat 20; Coll 119; Corn 62; Daoud 146; Jong 264; Mand 24; Phil 150; Shuaib 95; West 39. 

Herniaria hirsuta L. 

Vernacular names: ’eysh shawlah 


status: Native. Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded only once on Jebel Dukhan by El Amin. 

هلوش شيع 

uses: Used as a diuretic and astringent (Batanouny); a powerful narcotic and stomach irritant (Rizk 

& El-Ghazaly). 


Paronychia arabica (L.) DC. Plate 35 



habitat & distribution: Occasional on shallow sandy soils. 

uses: ‘The entire plant is used as a stimulant and aphrodisiac’ (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 


Polycarpaea repens (Forssk.) Asch. & Schweinf. Plate 36 

Vernacular names: kameela, makhor 

روخام ,ةليمك 



habitat & distribution: Frequent or abundant on sand sheets, gravel plains and other sandy 

habitats. 

uses: Mandaville remarks that the plant is traditionally used by one of the bedouin tribes to treat 

mange of camels. Ghazanfar records its use as an antidote for snake bite. 

Photos: Coll 123; Corn 65; Daoud 142, 143; Ghaz 67; Jong 266; Phil 152; Shuaib 96; West 40. 

Polycarpaea robbairea (Kuntze) Greuter & Burdet 

Robbairea delileana Milne-Redh. 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Feb–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: El Amin recorded from Umm Slal Ali and Al Kharrarah on gravelly and 

stony soils. 

Photos: Bat 22; Coll 123; Daoud 144; Ghaz 69; Jong 267; Shuaib 96. 

Polycarpaea spicata Wight ex Arn. 

Vernacular names: daqeeqa 


status: Native. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional on sandy and gravelly soils, including disturbed soils around 

towns. 

Photos: Bat 21; Coll 124; Ghaz 68; Jong 268. 

Polycarpon tetraphyllum (L.) L. 


status: Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A weed of gardens, usually on sandy soils. 


CARyOPHyLLACEAE 

22 23 

ةقيقد

CARyOPHyLLACEAE 

Sclerocephalus arabicus Boiss. Plate 38 

Vernacular names: knucklehead weed, thrais, Haras 

سرح ,سيرث 



habitat & distribution: Abundant, often locally dominant. Always on hard surfaces, including 

gravel plains, stony and and rocky areas, where there is a thin covering of silt or sand. 

uses: El Amin remarks that it is not liked by animals due to its bristles. 

Photos: Bat 22; Coll 125; Corn 65; Daoud 147; Jong 270; Mand 25; Phil 153; Shuaib 97; West 40. 

Silene arabica Boiss. 



habitat & distribution: Sandy habitats; N Qatar. 

Photos: Coll 126; Daoud 134, 135; Mand 18; Shuaib 98. 

Silene conica L. 


status: Native. Rare. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Also recorded: Kuwait. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded along the road to Umm Bab; also Dukhan and C Qatar. 

Photos: None. 

Silene villosa Forssk. Plate 39 

Vernacular names: desert campion, Turbah 

ةبرط 



habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent in sandy habitats. Not rare as noted by Batanouny, 

but only numerous after rains. 

notes: Miller and Cope (1996, p. 219) distinguish two forms ‘A’ and ‘B’ in Arabia, of which only 

form B is recorded for Qatar. 

Photos: El Amin 3; Bat 23; Coll 130; Daoud 133; Ghaz 72; Jong 274; Mand 20; Phil 154; Shuaib 99; West 41. 

Spergula fallax (Lowe) E.H.L. Krause Plate 37 

Vernacular names: daqeeqa 



habitat & distribution: Frequent or abundant in sandy or silty depressions, particularly under 

shade of trees, but also in other habitats. 

Photos: Bat 23; Coll 132; Daoud 116 L ; Ghaz 70; Jong 275; Mand 21; Pick 167; West 42. 

Spergularia bocconei (Scheele) Asch. & Graebn. 

Growth form: Annual or biennial herb. Fl. Mar–May. 

status: Native. Common. Also recorded: Bahrain, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Frequent in sandy or silty depressions, particularly under shade of trees. 


ةقيقد 

Spergularia diandra (Guss.) Boiss. 

Vernacular names: umm threib, qaleiqah 

ةقيلق ,بيرث مأ 



habitat & distribution: Abundant on thin sandy deposits on hamada and other rocky areas; also 

in other sandy habitats, gardens and cultivated areas. 

Photos: Coll 132; Daoud 138, 139; Jong 276; Mand 22; Shuaib 97. 

Stellaria media (L.) Vill. 

Vernacular names: chickweed 



habitat & distribution: A weed of gardens and other irrigated, cultivated areas. 

uses: Rizk & El-Ghazaly list numerous medicinal uses. 


Stellaria pallida (Dumort.) Murb. 

Vernacular names: lesser chickweed 


status: ?Native. Uncertain. Also recorded: Kuwait. 

habitat & distribution: A species of moist ground. 

notes: The only Stellaria species listed for Qatar by Miller & Cope, who comment on the difficulty 

in identifying this and S. media with certainty. 

Photos: None. 

Vaccaria hispanica (Mill.) Rauschert 

Vaccaria pyramidata Medik. 


status: Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded from Al Khor by El Amin. 


CASUARINACEAE 

CARyOPHyLLACEAE / CASUARINACEAE 

Casuarina equisetifolia L. 

Vernacular names: Australian pine, she-oak 

Growth form: Tree. Fl. Not known. 

status: Introduced. Common. Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Mainly gardens and roadsides in towns and cities. 

uses: Widely planted for ornament and shade. 

notes: Several species are planted in the Gulf (Miller & Cope); C. equisetifolia L. probably being the 

more common and widespread. C. cunninghamiana Miq. is listed by El Amin (p. 149) as planted in 

Qatar and the hybrid with C. equisetifolia has been recorded in Kuwait. 

Photos: None. 

24 25

CHENOPODIACEAE 


Agathophora alopecuroides (Delile) Fenzl. ex Bunge 

Agathophora iraqensis Botsch.; Halogeton alopecuroides (Delile) Moq.; Salsola alopecuroides Delile 



habitat & distribution: Recorded at Al Khor and Umm Slal Ali. 

notes: Two varieties occur in Arabia, var. alopecuriodes and var. papillosa (Maire) Boulos; both may 

grow in Qatar. 

Photos: Bat 26; Mand 49. 

Agriophyllum minus Fisch. & Mey. Plate 43 

Agriophyllum montasiri El-Gazzar 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in saline sandy areas on the coast and in ‘white sand’ areas 

inland. So far recorded only from SW Qatar. 

Photos: El Amin 16 L ; Coll 139; Jong 281. 

Anabasis setifera Moq. Plate 40 

Vernacular names: hamD al ’arnab, sha’ran 

ناريعش ,بنرلأا ضمح 

Growth form: Small shrub. Fl. Aug–Nov. 


habitat & distribution: Widespread on harder substrates including compacted, moderately 

saline, sandy soils including sabkha edge. 

uses: El Amin states that it is known for good salt grazing for camels and other animals. 

Photos: El Amin 3; Bat 24; Coll 140; Corn 70; Daoud 191, 192, 19; Ghaz 53; Jong 282; Pick 204; Shuaib 

75; West 45. 

Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric.) K. Koch 

Arthrocnemum glaucum (Delile) Ung.-Sternb. 

Vernacular names: shinan, ’ajram, HamaD 

ضمح ,مرجع ,نانش 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Mar–May. 


habitat & distribution: Abundant in saltmarsh along coasts at Al Khor, Ras Eshairiq, Umm Bab 

and Dukhan. Also locally dominant on coastal sabkha at Ras Abrouq. 

uses: Dry stems are used as firewood. 

Photos: El Amin 4; Bat 24; Coll 141; Corn 82; Ghaz 37, 38; Jong 283; Pick 205; West 45. 

Atriplex leucoclada Boiss. Plate 41 

Vernacular names: orache, rughl 

لغر 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Oct–Nov. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional in coastal areas. 

uses: Grazed by sheep and camels and is valuable salt grazing (El Amin). Cornes & Cornes note 

that ‘Atriplex species are a good source of fodder, with high protein content’. 

notes: Two forms are recorded for Arabia: var inamoena (Aellen) Zoh. and var. turcomanica (Moq.) 

Zoh. Only the latter is confirmed for Qatar by Miller & Cope. 

Photos: El Amin 4; Bat 25; Coll 142; Corn 73; Daoud 162, 163; Ghaz 33; Jong 284; Mand 28; Phil 96; Shuaib 

78; West 46. 

Bassia eriophora (Schrad.) Asch. 

Vernacular names: quTn 



habitat & distribution: El Amin recorded it near Al Khor. 

uses: El Amin remarks that the white fibres are used as cotton stuffings. 

Photos: El Amin 4; Coll 143; Corn 74; Daoud 165, 166, 16; Mand 29; Shuaib 78. 

Bassia muricata (L.) Asch. 

Vernacular names: jebira, quTn 



26 27 

نطق 

نطق ,ةريبج 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in northern Qatar. Occurs in the Dukhan area on compacted 

gypsum soils (JN). 

uses: Grazed and liked by camels, sheep and other livestock. 

Photos: Coll 144; Daoud 139 L ; Jong 285; Shuaib 78. 

Beta vulgaris L. 


Vernacular names: beet, salaq, shamandar, bari 

يرب ,ردنمش ,قلس 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Mar. 

status: Introduced. ?Common. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: An escape from cultivation; the wild form occurs in saltmarshes but has 

not been recorded from Qatar. 

uses: Cultivated as a vegetable. The plant has diuretic, aphrodisiac and various other medicinal 

properties (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

notes: Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris is the cultivated garden beet and B. vulgaris subsp. maritima (L.) 

Arcang. is the wild sea beet. 


Bienertia cycloptera Bunge ex Boiss. 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Sep–Oct. 

status: Native. ?Rare. First record: Mesaieed, November 1998 (JN). Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi 

Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A species of coastal saltmarshes. 

notes: A specimen collected from the coast at Mesaieed was provisionally determined as this 

species by E. Clement, but dried specimens of fleshy-leaved Chenopodiaceae are very difficult to 

identify. It is not known to have been previously recorded from Qatar, but is widespread elsewhere 

along the Gulf coast and may have been overlooked at other sites in Qatar. 

Photos: Coll 144; Daoud 175,176,17; Jong 287; Mand 35; Shuaib 76.


Chenopodium album L. 

Vernacular names: shawlah, siamjat al reiH, weraq, zarbekh 

خيبرز ,قارو ,حيرلا تاجميس ,هلوش 

fat hen, white goosefoot 


status: Introduced. Common. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A frequent weed of cultivated and irrigated areas. 

uses: Various medicinal uses have been documented. 

Photos: Bat 25; Coll 145; Jong 288; Shuaib 78; West 47. 

Chenopodium murale L. 

Vernacular names: zarbeeH, khaisa, weraq, abu ’affeyn 

نيفع وبأ ,قارو ,ةسياخ ,حيبرز 

fat hen, white goosefoot 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in disturbed areas, especially around towns and villages. 

Photos: El Amin 4; Bat 25; Coll 146; Corn 77; Daoud 161; Ghaz 31; Jong 289; Phil 97; Pick 207; Shuaib 

78; West 47. 

Cornulaca aucheri Moq. 

Vernacular names: hadh, saley 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Oct–Nov. 


habitat & distribution: Coastal areas, including Umm Bab, Salwa and Al Khor. 

Photos: Bat 26; Coll 147; Corn 77; Ghaz 44; Jong 291; Shuaib 77. 

Cornulaca monacantha Delile 

Vernacular names: thallaj, hadh 

Growth form: Small shrub. Fl. Oct–Nov. 


habitat & distribution: Frequent in coastal areas and in S Qatar on deeper saline sand. 

يلس ,ذاح 

ذاح ,جلاث 

uses: Reported by Rizk & El-Ghazaly to have some degree of antimicrobial activity when ingested. 

Leaves are used to treat jaundice in Qatar (Ghazanfar). 

Photos: El Amin 5; Bat 26; Coll 148; Corn 77; Ghaz 45; Jong 280 L , 292; West 48. 

Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M. Bieb. 

Vernacular names: sabat, hadhadi 

يداذح ,تبس 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Sep–Oct. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from saltmarsh at Al Khor and Abu Samrah. 

uses: Cornes & Cornes report that the plant is intensively grazed by camels in sabkha areas and also 

by gazelles; Mandaville (citing an earlier author) mentions a herdsmen’s belief that overfeeding on 

this plant is a cause of lung disease in camels. 

Photos: Coll 149; Corn 85; Daoud 168, 169; Jong 290, 293; Mand 30; Phil 98; Shuaib 75; West 48. 

Halopeplis perfoliata (Forssk.) Bunge ex Schweinf. & Asch. Plate 42 

زيرخ 

Vernacular names: khurreyz (string of beads) 



habitat & distribution: Locally abundant in saltmarsh and sabkha edge, or occasionally on saline 

sand; mainly N Qatar and the E coast. 

Photos: El Amin 5; Bat 27; Coll 149; Corn 38, 85; Ghaz 35, 36; Jong 280 L , 290, 294; Phil 99; Pick 57; West 49. 

Haloxylon persicum Bunge 

Haloxylon ammodendron (C.A. Meyer) Bunge 


Vernacular names: ghada, qadha, rimth 

ثمر ,ىذق 

Growth form: Shrub or small tree. Fl. Feb–May. 

status: Native. Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A characteristic species of deep, often drifting sand. Recorded only by El 

Amin, but, confusingly, he refers to this species as Haloxylon salicornicum (and what is now known 

as H. salicornicum under the older name of Hammada elegans). He recorded it east of Salwa at Mah 

Sobia hill (the area now known as Al Mashbiya), near the Saudi Arabian border. 

uses: Grazed by camels; highly valued as firewood by bedouin and desert villagers (Mandaville). 

Photos: El Amin 5; Coll 150; Jong 296; West 49. 

Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss. Plate 44 

Hammada elegans (Bunge) Botsch.; Hammada salicornica (Moq.) Iljin 

ثمر 

Vernacular names: rimth 



habitat & distribution: Abundant in parts of SW Qatar in sandy areas between Abu Samrah and 

Al Karaanah. Also found at Khor Al Adaid, but local elsewhere. An area has recently developed at 

the Al Sheehaniyah racecourse in C Qatar. 

uses: Good fodder for camels. Other animals graze on it when nothing else is around’ (El Amin). 

Mandaville notes that it is important camel grazing when annuals and grasses are not available 

but remarks: ‘excessive saltbush grazing is recognised to be physiologically damaging’. A source 

of firewood. A relatively small number of medicinal uses are documented; stems are used to treat 

hypoglycaemia (Ghazanfar). 

Photos: El Amin 5; Bat 29; Coll 151; Corn 78; Daoud 188, 189, 19; Ghaz 46, 47; Jong 297; Phil 100; Shuaib 

74; West 50. 

Salicornia europaea L. Plate 45 

Salicornia maritima Wolff & Jefferies; Salicornia herbacea L. 

Vernacular names: glasswort 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Nov. 

status: Native. Rare. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait. 

habitat & distribution: Locally abundant at Al Khor; also at Umm Tais (RR). 

notes: Batanouny undoubtedly recorded Salsola soda L. in error for this species. 

Photos: Daoud 170, 171; Phil 101; Shuaib 76. 

28 29


Salsola cyclophylla Baker 

Growth form: Small shrub. Fl. Oct–Dec. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny in S Qatar ‘where it dominates a community on 

the road to the UAE’. Typical habitats in Saudi Arabia include sand dunes, rocky slopes, limestone 

and sandstone plateaux (Miller & Cope). 

Photos: Coll 153; Jong 298; Mand 40. 

Salsola drummondii Ulbr. 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Oct–Dec. 

status: Native. ?Rare. First published record: Miller & Cope (1996). Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, 

UAE. 

habitat & distribution: In other parts of the Gulf this is a species of saline sandy areas, including 

sabkha; usually near the coast. 

Photos: Jong 299; Pick 58. 

Salsola imbricata Forssk. Plate 46 

Salsola baryosma (Roem. & Schult.) Dandy; Salsola foetida Delile ex Spreng. 

طيرخ 

Vernacular names: saltwort, khareeT 

Growth form: Small shrub. Fl. Jun–Sep. 


habitat & distribution: Frequent or abundant in coastal saline areas, including beaches and 

sabkha, occasionally in other habitats. 

uses: ‘In Bahrain, the flowers are used as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory’ Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 

notes: Plate 46 shows a Salsola species, possibly S. imbricata. 

Photos: El Amin 6; Coll 153; Corn 39, 74, 78; Daoud 180, 181; Ghaz 51; Jong 280 L , 300; Phil 102; Shuaib 

77; West 50. 

Salsola schweinfurthii Solms-Laub. 

Growth form: Small shrub. Fl. Not known. 

status: Native. ?Local. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in saline areas in S Qatar according to Batanouny. 

notes: Needs confirmation as not listed for Qatar by Miller & Cope. 


Salsola villosa Schultes 

Salsola mandavillei Botsch.; Salsola vermiculata sensu Mandaville, non L.; Salsola vermiculata var. 

villosa (Schultes) Moq. 

Growth form: Small shrub. Fl. Mar. 

status: Native. ?Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from C and N Qatar in calcareous stony soils 

and saline areas. 

uses: Favourite grazing for camels (Mandaville). Salt grazing (El Amin). Often used as firewood 

(Mandaville). 

notes: Needs confirmation as not listed for Qatar by Miller & Cope. 

Photos: Mand 41. 

Seidlitzia rosmarinus Bunge ex Boiss. Plate 47 

ناملج ,نانش 

Vernacular names: shinan/ushnan, julman 



habitat & distribution: Abundant and often dominant on undulating sand, sabkha edge and over 

sand dunes from Mesaieed southwards. 

uses: The leaves are used as a cleansing agent (Ghazanfar). 

Photos: Bat 30; Coll 155; Corn 86; Daoud 179; Jong 302; Mand 37; Shuaib 75. 

Suaeda aegyptiaca (Hasselq.) Zohary Plate 48 

Chenopodium aegyptiacum Hasselq.; Schanginia aegyptiaca (Hasselq.) Aellen; Schanginia baccata 

(Forssk.) Moq. 

Vernacular names: seablite, suweid, Hatallus, julman 

ناملج ,سلتح ,ديوس 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Sep–Oct. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional in coastal areas and wherever saline soils occur, including 

irrigated farmland. 

uses: El Amin remarks that fresh leaves are sold in markets in Qatar for eating in salads. Stems and 

leaves are also used to treat tooth and gum infections. Ghazanfar mentions that the plant is used 

as snuff to alleviate dizziness, headaches and other ailments. 

Photos: Bat 29; Coll 156; Corn 81; Daoud 173, 174; Jong 303; Phil 103; Shuaib 80; West 52. 

Suaeda vermiculata Forssk. ex J.F. Gmel. Plate 49 

Suaeda fruticosa Forssk. ex J.F. Gmel. 

Vernacular names: seablite, suweid 

ديوس 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Oct. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional or frequent in coastal saline habitats. 

uses: Jong et al. note that the plant is suitable for saline irrigation and a promising landscape plant, 

and is also used to treat asthma. 

Photos: El Amin 6; Bat 30; Coll 157; Corn 81; Daoud 172; Ghaz 41; Jong 280 L , 304; Phil 104; Pick 59; 

Shuaib 80; West 53. 

Traganum nudatum Delile 


status: Native. ?Rare. First published record: Miller & Cope (1996). Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi 

Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A plant of rocky places over Arabia generally. 

Photos: Coll 158; Daoud 178; Shuaib 80. 

CISTACEAE 

Helianthemum kahiricum Delile Plate 50 

قورقر 

Vernacular names: raqrouq 

Growth form: Shrublet. Fl. Mar. 


CHENOPODIACEAE / CISTACEAE 

30 31

CISTACEAE / COMBRETACEAE / CONVOLVULACEAE 

habitat & distribution: Mainly on harder, calcareous substrates in W Qatar. Frequent in the 

Dukhan area (JN). 

Photos: El Amin 25 L ; Bat 71; Coll 159; Corn 97; Daoud 35; Ghaz 133-4; Jong 305; Phil 160; West 101. 

Helianthemum lippii (L.) Dum.-Cours. Plate 51 

Vernacular names: raqrouq 

Growth form: Shrublet. Fl. Mar–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Frequent to abundant on hamada, gravel plains and sandy soils. 

uses: Rizk & El-Ghazaly report that the plant possesses antimicrobial activity. 

Photos: El Amin 6, 25 L ; Bat 71, 72 L ; Coll 159; Daoud 36; Jong 306; Phil 161; Shuaib 106; West 102. 

COMBRETACEAE 

Conocarpus lancifolius Engl. 

Vernacular names: damas 


status: Introduced. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia. 

قورقر 

habitat & distribution: Planted at Mesaieed Industrial City (JN), but may be more widespread. 

uses: A saline-tolerant tree producing dense foliage, making it suitable for use as shade and 

screening. 

Photos: None. 

CONVOLVULACEAE 

Convolvulus arvensis L. 

Vernacular names: bindweed, ’ullayq 

قيلع 



habitat & distribution: Occasional or frequent in lawns, gardens and other cultivated areas. 

uses: The plant is poisonous if eaten in any quantity (Rizk & El-Ghazaly); roots and leaves are used 

as an anti-haemorrhagic (Ghazanfar). 

Photos: El Amin 9; Coll 226; Corn 181; Jong 310; Phil 139; Shuaib 54; West 117. 

Convolvulus cephalopodus Boiss. Plate 52 

Convolvulus buschiricus Bornm. 

Vernacular names: khatme 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy areas; particularly W Qatar. 

Photos: Bat 79; Daoud 21, 215, 216; Jong 311; Pick 168; Shuaib 55; West 117. 

Convolvulus fatmensis Kunze 



يمتاخ 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from silty soils in rodat. 

Photos: Bat 80; Coll 229. 

Convolvulus glomeratus Choisy 

Vernacular names: ’ullayq 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Mar. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded from cultivated rodat, in light or sandy soils. 

uses: Taken as a purgative (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 10; Bat 80; Coll 229; Jong 312. 

Convolvulus pilosellifolius Desr. Plate 53 

Vernacular names: melbow, haTHmy, rukheima 

ةميخر ,يمثه ,وبليم 



habitat & distribution: Locally abundant in silty depressions and rodat in C Qatar. 

uses: Eaten as salad or cooked with rice to add flavour (El Amin, Jongbloed et al.). Used as a 

purgative in Bahrain (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 10, 44 L ; Bat 82; Coll 230; Corn 182; Daoud 185 L ; Jong 313; Phil 140; Shuaib 54; West 118. 

Convolvulus prostratus Forssk. 

Convolvulus deserti Hochst. & Steud.; Convolvulus microphyllus (Roth) Spreng. 

قيلع 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in silt pans and other depressions; also on gravelly soils and 

in runnels. 

notes: C. prostratus and C. deserti are two closely related taxa for which the taxonomy is poorly 

understood. Batanouny listed both species, but it is probable that only one variable entity occurs. 

Photos: El Amin 10; Bat 79, 81; Coll 230; Jong 314; West 118. 

Vernacular names: ’ullayq 

Cressa cretica L. 

Vernacular names: alkali weed, rosin weed, nedewah 

ةويدن 



habitat & distribution: Occasional on compact saline soils around the coasts; especially N Qatar. 

Recorded from Ras Laffan (JN), just west of Doha (RR) and is common at Al Zubarah (RR). 

uses: In Bahrain, the leaves are used as an expectorant (Rizk & El-Ghazaly); also used as an 

aphrodisiac (Ghazanfar). 

Photos: El Amin 10; Bat 82; Coll 233; Corn 182; Daoud 212, 213; Jong 317; Phil 141; Shuaib 55; West 119. 

Cuscuta chinensis Lam. 

Vernacular names: Chinese dodder 

Growth form: Annual parasitic herb. Fl. Jan–Dec. 

status: Introduced. ?Local. Needs confirmation for Qatar. Not in other Gulf floras. 

CONVOLVULACEAE 

32 33 

قيلع

CONVOLVULACEAE / CUCURBITACEAE 

habitat & distribution: Batanouny mentions that this species is a fairly common parasite of 

cultivated alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), as well as Ziziphus nummularia. 

uses: Rizk & El-Ghazaly list a large number of medicinal uses. 

Photos: None. 

Cuscuta pedicellata Ledeb. 

Vernacular names: dodder 

Growth form: Parasitic herb. Fl. Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded from cultivated areas on many different hosts including crops 

such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum); also on trees such as Prosopis and 

Ziziphus, and also on Chenopodium, Fagonia and Trigonella spp. 


Cuscuta pentagona Engelm. 

Vernacular names: dodder 

Growth form: Parasitic herb. Fl. Not known. 


habitat & distribution: Abdel Bari records it as a ‘common parasite on ornamental annuals’. 

Photos: None. 

CUCURBITACEAE 

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. Plate 54 

Cucumis colocynthis L. 

Vernacular names: hanDHal, shary (fruit), Hadaj 

desert squash, bitter gourd/squash 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Apr–Jul. 


جدح ,)ةرمث( يرش ,لظنح 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy areas, particularly in depressions and runnels; though 

single plants may cover a large area. 

uses: El Amin reports that the ripe fruit were used to prepare gunpowder. The plant is well known 

to have strong laxative properties; other medicinal uses recorded by Ghazanfar include treatment 

of dog, insect and snake bites; to relieve pain in joints and as a hair dye. 

Photos: El Amin 16; Bat 73, 74 L ; Coll 268; Daoud 4, 46, 47, 48; Ghaz 151; Jong 323; Mand 67, 68; Phil 105; 

Pick 170; Shuaib 55; West 104. 

Cucumis prophetarum L. 

Vernacular names: shary, haneiDalan, Hadak 


status: Introduced. ?Rare. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Previously recorded from Al Karaanah. 

uses: The plant has purgative properties (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 16; Bat 73, 74; Coll 270; Ghaz 147-9; Jong 325; Pick 122; West 105. 

قدح ,نلاضينه ,يرش 

CYNOMORIACEAE 

Cynomorium coccineum L. Plate 55 

ثوثرط 

Vernacular names: red thumb, desert thumb, Tarthuth 

Growth form: Parasitic perennial herb. Fl. Mar. 


habitat & distribution: On damp, saline sand, including beaches, thus mainly with a coastal 

distribution. Frequent at Dukhan water treatment works, growing on Tetraena qatarensis and nearby 

on the west coast (JN); also occurs at Ras Laffan (RR), Mesaieed and Khor Al Adaid (MS). Other 

host plants include species of Chenopodiaceae. 

uses: The roots are edible and were sold in earlier times as a vegetable. Flowers were used as a dye 

in Saudi Arabia (Ghazanfar); used as a aphrodisiac in Bahrain (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: Bat 75; Coll 276; Corn 33, 145; Daoud 70; Jong 326; Mand 134; Phil 64, 65; Shuaib 51; West 105. 

EUPHORBIACEAE 

CyNOMORIACEAE / EUPHORBIACEAE 

Andrachne telephioides L. Plate 56 

هظميوح 

Vernacular names: HuweimDHa 



habitat & distribution: Frequent in silty depressions. 

uses: The plant is poisonous and used as an insecticide (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 


Chamaesyce arabica (Hochst. & Steud. ex Boiss.) Soják 

Euphorbia arabica Anderson 


status: Native. Rare. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded near Abu Samrah on a ‘mud plain’. 


Chamaesyce granulata Forssk. 

Euphorbia granulata (Forssk.) Soják 

Vernacular names: labeinah 

ةنيبل 

Growth form: Annual or biennial herb. Fl. Mar–May. 

status: Introduced. Common. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occurs on various soils and a weed in urban areas, but may have been 

frequently mis-recorded for C. serpens. 

uses: Sap is applied to poisonous bites (Jongbloed et al.). 

notes: One of several very similar prostrate Euphorbia species, often treated as Chamaesyce, that 

occur in damp, disturbed habitats, particularly in lawns, gardens and plantations. 

Photos: El Amin 11; Bat 63; Coll 315; Daoud 67; Jong 335; Shuaib 85; West 95. 

34 35

EUPHORBIACEAE 

Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp. 

Euphorbia hirta L. 


Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Apr–Sep. 

status: Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A weed of cultivated land (Batanouny). 

uses: The sap is used to treat cuts and wounds (Rizk & El-Ghazaly), a number of other medicinal 

uses are also listed. 

Photos: Coll 317; Jong 338; Shuaib 86. 

Chamaesyce prostrata (Aiton) Small 

Euphorbia prostrata Aiton 


status: Introduced. Common. Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Frequent in irrigated areas in C Qatar, especially in rodat. 

uses: Amongst those listed by Rizk & El-Ghazaly are to treat flu, dysentery, to purify blood and 

improve the milk of nursing mothers. It is also used as a diabetes remedy and the sap applied to 

sores and used as a snake bite remedy. 

Photos: El Amin 12; Bat 64; Jong 342. 

Chamaesyce serpens (Kunth) Small 

Euphorbia serpens Kunth 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Dec–May. 

status: Introduced. Not confirmed for Qatar, but very likely to occur. Also recorded: Bahrain, E 

Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Likely to occur in similar habitats to C. granulata. 


Chrozophora oblongifolia (Delile) A. Juss. ex Spreng. 

Chrozophora verbascifolia (Willd.) A. Juss. 

Vernacular names: Tanoom 

مونط 

Growth form: Perennial herb or small shrub. Fl. Dec–May. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional in cultivated depressions, field margins and disturbed areas 

in C Qatar. 

uses: Chrozophora species have been traditionally used in Arabia to produce dyes. Further details 

are given by Mandaville. 

Photos: Coll 302; Daoud 66; Jong 331; Pick 209; West 92. 

Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. 

Chrozophora obliqua (Vahl.) A. Juss. ex Spreng. 

Vernacular names: Tanoom, zerraij 

جيرز ,مونط 

Growth form: Annual (occasionally perennial) herb. Fl. Apr–Jun. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional in cultivated rodat, field margins and disturbed areas; C Qatar. 

ةنيبل 

uses: Like C. oblongifolia, used to produce dyes; however for C. tinctoria Mandaville states that 

although long used in southern Europe and the Mediterranean there do not appear to be any 

records of this use in eastern Arabia. 

Photos: El Amin 11, 55 L ; Coll 302; Mand 135; Shuaib 85. 

Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam. 


status: Introduced. ?Rare. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by El Amin from disturbed soils of rodat; C Qatar. 


Euphorbia heterophylla L. 

Euphorbia geniculata Ortega 

EUPHORBIACEAE 


ةنيبل 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Jan–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny as ‘common’ at Al Wabrah where naturalised, 

but may be more widespread now. 


Euphorbia peplus L. 

Vernacular names: petty spurge 


status: Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional as a roadside weed in Dukhan township in 2007 (JN). 

uses: The plant is good for asthma and catarrh; the milky juice is used to remove corns, warts and 

in the treatment of cancer of the stomach, liver and uterus (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: Bat 64; Coll 320; Corn 122; Jong 341. 

Euphorbia retusa Forssk. Plate 57 

Euphorbia cornuta Pers. 

Growth form: Annual (occasionally perennial) herb. Fl. Feb–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded on a silt pan NE of Zikreet in 2007 (JN). 


Mercurialis annua L. 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. All year. 

status: Introduced. Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny but no information given on status or distribution; 

likely to occur in damp, cultivated areas, as in other parts of the world. 


36 37

EUPHORBIACEAE / FABACEAE 

Phyllanthus niruri L. 

Vernacular names: stone-breaker 


status: Introduced. ?Local. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded as ‘widespread’ in gardens. 

uses: As its English name indicates, well-known as a cure for kidney stones and also used to treat 

liver diseases. Dried leaves and extracts of the plant are sold commercially around the world. Other 

reported uses include to aid digestion, relieve pain and to treat malaria and other fevers. 

notes: P. amarus Schumach. is closely-related and has similar uses (this is much more common as 

a naturalised species than P. niruri). 

Photos: None. 

Ricinus communis L. 

Vernacular names: castor oil plant, ’arash 

شارع 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Jan–May. 


habitat & distribution: In the Gulf generally it is widely planted in shelterbelts, but also escapes 

into areas around gardens and farms. 

uses: It is well known that the oil is extracted for medicinal uses, particularly as a laxative, and 

that the seeds contain a deadly poison, the alkaloid ‘ricinine’. The oil is also used in the chemical 

industry and as a lubricant. Ghazanfar also gives various other uses, including the treatment of bad 

breath, blisters, ulcers, toothache, inflamed eyes and rheumatic pain. 

Photos: Coll 327; Jong 346; Pick 175. 

FABACEAE 

Acacia ehrenbergiana Hayne 

Acacia flava (Forssk.) Schweinf. 

Plate 58 

Vernacular names: salam 

ملس 

Growth form: Shrub or tree. Fl. Apr–May. 

status: Native. Common. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Frequent in rodat and other sandy areas, often with other large shrubs 

and trees. Less less widely distributed than A. tortilis, but it is locally dominant in C and SE Qatar, 

especially at Al Sheehaniyah. Mandaville states that it is the commonest Acacia of the Eastern 

Province of Saudi Arabia. 

uses: Animals graze on leaves and pods; stems are used as firewood and the species is a good 

sand stabiliser (El Amin). The plant has antimicrobial activity and extracts are used to produce a 

molluscicide to kill snails (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 13; Bat 41, 42 L ; Coll 471; Jong 423; Mand 109, 110; Pick 237. 

Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile 

Acacia arabica Willd. 

Vernacular names: Arabian gum tree, Sunt, jard (fruit) 

Growth form: Tree. Fl. Mar–Nov. 


)ةرمث( درج ,تنص 

habitat & distribution: Subsp. indica is widely planted in the Gulf and presumably in Qatar; it is 

native to parts of Saudi Arabia and Oman. 

uses: The wood has various construction uses and can used as firewood and for producing charcoal. 

The bark is a source of tannin and dye. Gum Arabic is obtained from this and other Acacia species 

and used commercially as stabiliser in the food industry; also as an ingredient in other products 

such as glues, paints and cosmetics. 


Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne 

Acacia raddiana Savi; Acacia spirocarpa Hochst. ex A. Rich. 

Plate 59 

Vernacular names: samr 

رمس 

Growth form: Shrub or tree. Fl. May–Jun. 

status: Native. Very common. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Locally dominant in sandy depressions, wadis and larger runnels, often 

preferring the slightly elevated ground at the edges of such features. 

uses: Grazed by livestock and used for fodder and firewood. The gum is of economic importance 

in some regions. The wood is used for building camel folds (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 13; Bat 41, 43 L ; Coll 476; Jong 422, 425; Mand 112, 113; Pick 236; West 69. 

Alhagi maurorum Medik. 

Alhagi camelorum Fisch.; Alhagi graecorum Boiss. 

Vernacular names: camelthorn, ’aaqool 

لوقاع 

Growth form: Small shrub. Fl. Apr–May. 

status: Introduced. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occurs in the NW of Al Khor town (MS) and seen by MAS at two locations 

in W Qatar. Batanouny recorded it at Abu Samrah and Umm Bab. Usually in saline or disturbed 

sandy soils, including farms and coastal areas. 

uses: Grazed by camels. The plant exudes a sugary sap that dries into ‘manna’ (Jongbloed et 

al. citing an earlier author). Ghazanfar states that the whole plant is used for treating cataracts, 

migraine, jaundice, migraine, painful joints and as an aphrodisiac. 

notes: The distinction between A. maurorum and A. graecorum is very slight and probably not 

taxonomically significant. 

Photos: Corn 126; Daoud 34; Jong 347; Phil 31; Shuaib 89; West 70. 

Argyrolobium arabicum (Decne.) Jaub. & Spach 

Argyrolobium abyssinicum Jaub. & Spach 

Growth form: Annual or short-lived perennial herb. Fl. Not known. 

status: ?Native. ?Rare. First published record: Obeid (1975). Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: In Egypt the plant grows is sandy and rocky hillsides and in wadis (Boulos). 

notes: Similar to Lotus so there may be some doubt over the identification of this record; Boulos 

gives the distribution as extending to Arabia, but the species is not shown in Collenette. 

Photos: None. 

Astragalus annularis Forssk. Plate 60 

Vernacular names: Halaq 

قلح 



FABACEAE 

38 39

FABACEAE 

habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent in sandy depressions. Abundant in the Dukhan to 

Umm Bab area after rains in 2007 (JN). 

Photos: Coll 480; Corn 129; Daoud 25, 26; Jong 349; Mand 120; Phil 32; Shuaib 92; West 71. 

Astragalus corrugatus Bertol. 

Astragalus tenuirugis Boiss. 

Vernacular names: Halaq, khawatim al bar 



ربلا متاوخ ,قلح 

habitat & distribution: Recorded in S Qatar at Al Karaanah and some areas in the north (MS). 

Grows in silty and sandy depressions and other areas with fine, shallow soils. 

Photos: El Amin 70 L ; Bat 44; Corn 129; Daoud 20, 21; Jong 350; Mand 122; Phil 33; Shuaib 93. 

Astragalus eremophilus Boiss. Plate 61 




habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from depressions and a wadi in S Qatar near Al 

Karaanah and also from a sandy area in W Qatar near Umm Bab (JN). 

Photos: El Amin 70 L ; Bat 44; Coll 483; Jong 351; Mand 123. 

Astragalus hamosus L. 




habitat & distribution: Previously recorded from Al Wabrah. 

Photos: El Amin 13, 70 L ; Bat 45; Coll 484. 

Astragalus hauarensis Boiss. 

Astragalus gyzensis Delile 

قلح 


status: Native. Rare. First record: near Umm Bab, March 2007 (S. Aspinall). Also recorded: 

Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Mandaville describes it as ‘perhaps the most common Astragalus of sandy 

habitats’, so it may occur elsewhere in southern Qatar. 

Photos: Daoud 22, 23, 24; Jong 353; Mand 124; Shuaib 93. 


Astragalus schimperi Boiss. 




habitat & distribution: Recorded at Jebel Dukhan. 

Photos: Coll 486; Daoud 18, 19; Shuaib 93. 

قلح 

قلح 

قلح 

Astragalus sieberi DC. 

Astragalus zubairensis Eig 

Vernacular names: khanaSir al ’aroos 

Growth form: Shrublet. Fl. Mar–Apr. 


سورعلا رصانخ 

habitat & distribution: Recorded in SW Qatar, west of Al Karaanah and Wadi Al Ireig. Recently 

seen in Mesameer area (MS). 

Photos: El Amin 14, 70 L ; Bat 45; Coll 486; Shuaib 94. 

Astragalus tribuloides Delile 

Vernacular names: rakhami 

40 41 

يماخر 



habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent in sandy depressions and runnels; mainly C Qatar. 

Photos: El Amin 14, 70 L ; Bat 46; Coll 488; Corn 129; Daoud 16, 17; Jong 355; Shuaib 93. 

Cullen plicata (Delile) C. H. Stirt. 

Psoralea plicata Delile 

Vernacular names: Hama 



habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from roadside runnel at Al-Amiriyah and a 

protected rodah in Trainah on waste land near irrigation. 

uses: An infusion of the leaves is drunk for respiratory and intestinal ailments and the fruits are 

used in the treatment of gastric ulcers (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 


Hippocrepis areolata Desv. 

Hippocrepis bicontorta Loisel. 

Vernacular names: umm al qurain 



habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent in sandy areas; especially W Qatar. 

امح 

نيرقلا مأ 

Photos: El Amin 14, 73 L ; Bat 47; Coll 498; Corn 130; Daoud 30, 31; Jong 361; Mand 131; Phil 35; Shuaib 

91; West 73. 

Hippocrepis constricta Kunze 

Vernacular names: qileiqlan 



FABACEAE 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from sandy soils in rodat, but he did not give 

details of abundance. 

Photos: El Amin 73 L ; Bat 48; Coll 498; Jong 362; West 74. 

نلاقيلق

FABACEAE 

Hippocrepis multisiliquosa L. 

Vernacular names: qileiqlan 



habitat & distribution: Depressions and runnels. 

Photos: El Amin 14, 73 L ; Bat 48. 

Hippocrepis unisiliquosa L. 


status: Native. ?Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Batanouny recorded as ‘fairly common’ in depressions, but it is not 

mentioned by El Amin; Mandaville states that it appears to be very rare in Saudi Arabia. 


Hymenocarpos circinnatus (L.) Savi 



habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from Jebel Al Wakra. 

Photos: None. 

Indigofera intricata Boiss. Plate 62 

Vernacular names: Hameira 

ةريمح 

Growth form: Shrublet. Fl. Jan–Jun. 

status: Native. Common. First published record: Mandaville (1990, p.181). Also recorded: E Saudi 

Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy habitats. It appears to be relatively frequent in 

western coastal areas (JN, SAM) and is also common across a large part of the UAE (Jongbloed et al.). 

uses: The roots and leaves are used as a tonic (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

notes: Probably mis-named as I. articulata Gouan by earlier authors. 

Photos: El Amin 15; Bat 49; Jong 367; Pick 66. 

Indigofera oblongifolia Forssk. 

Growth form: Shrublet. Fl. Not known. 

status: ?Introduced. Rare. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Abdel Bari found this species near Doha central market, suggesting that 

it has been introduced by human activity. 

uses: Ghazanfar states the roots are used for an analgesic and as an anti-inflammatory; leaves are 

used as a hair wash. 


Lathyrus inconspicuus L. 


status: Introduced. Rare. First record: SW Qatar, March 2007 (S. Aspinall). Not in other Gulf floras. 

نلاقيلق 

habitat & distribution: A weed of crops such as chick-pea, so the record may refer to a plant that 

had escaped from a cultivated area. Not recorded elsewhere in the Gulf and possibly not from the 

Arabian Peninsula, but known from the Mediterranean region. 

Photos: None. 

Lotononis platycarpa (Viv.) Pic.Serm. 

Lotononis dichotoma (Delile) Boiss.; Lotus platycarpa Viv. 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy habitats in S Qatar. Previously also recorded from Al 

Wakra and Wadi Al Banat. 

Photos: El Amin 15, 76 L ; Bat 53; Coll 506; Jong 370; Mand 114. 

Lotus garcinii DC. 

Growth form: Small shrub. Fl. Dec–Jun. 


habitat & distribution: A species of coastal, slightly saline sand. Recorded from NW Qatar by 

Batanouny. 

Photos: Coll 507; Corn 133; Jong 371; Pick 67; West 76. 

Lotus glinoides Delile 

Lotus schimperi Steud. ex Boiss. 

Vernacular names: Hawrbeith 


status: Native. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy areas; W and S Qatar. 

42 43 

ثيبروح 

notes: L. glinoides and L. schimperi were formerly regarded as distinct species, and are probably best 

amalgamated, but not all authors agree. 

Photos: Coll 507; Jong 372; West 76. 

Lotus halophilus Boiss. & Spruner Plate 63 

Lotus pusillus Viv.; Lotus villosus Forssk., non Burm. f. 

لازغلا نرق ,ثيبروح 

Vernacular names: gazelle’s horn, Hawrbeith, qarn al ghazal 



habitat & distribution: Abundant in sandy habitats, especially after winter rains. Depressions in 

the Dukhan area in 2007 turned green with this species. May be less common in E Qatar. 

uses: Grazed by sheep and goats (El Amin). Due to its abundance and presumed high protein 

content of the pods this species would presumably have been an important seasonal grazing species 

in the region. 

Photos: El Amin 76 L ; Coll 508; Corn 133; Daoud 14, 15; Jong 373; Phil 36; Shuaib 91. 

Medicago laciniata (L.) Mill. 

Medicago aschersoniana Urb. 

Vernacular names: medick, nafal, jut bari, barseem bari, abu Hassak 


FABACEAE 

كسح وبأ ,يرب ميسرب ,يرب تج ,لفن

FABACEAE 


habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent in sandy habitats. 

uses: Said to be ‘palatable grazing’ by Batanouny, although El Amin says it is grazed by animals 

but not much liked because of the bristly fruit. 

notes: A very variable species that was formerly separated into two species or varieties (see 

Mandaville). 

Photos: El Amin 78 L ; Bat 50; Coll 509; Corn 134; Daoud 10, 11; Jong 374; Mand 117; Phil 37; Shuaib 89; 

West 77. 

Medicago polymorpha L. 

Vernacular names: nafal, jut bari 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in rodat in C Qatar and in gardens. 


Medicago sativa L. 

Vernacular names: alfalfa, lucerne, burseem, jatt 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. May–Jul. 

status: Introduced. ?Common. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: May occur as an escape from cultivation. 

يرب ميسرب ,يرب تج 

تج ,ميسرب 

uses: This is a very common and widely grown fodder crop throughout the Arabian peninsula. 

Ghazanfar states the leaves are used to treat bruises, fractures and to stop nose-bleeds. Seeds are 

used as an aphrodisiac. 

Photos: Bat 50. 

Melilotus albus Medik. 

Vernacular names: sweet clover, Handaquq, nafal 


status: Introduced. Common. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in irrigated places, including gardens. 

لفن ,قوقدنح 

uses: Grazed by animals (El Amin), but widely known to have toxic effects on livestock. Used to 

treat rheumatic pain and various other medical conditions and has narcotic action (Jongbloed et 

al., Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 80 L ; Bat 50; Coll 512; Jong 375. 

Melilotus indicus (L.) All. 

Vernacular names: scented trefoil, indian melilot, Handaquq, nafal 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in irrigated places, including gardens. 

لفن ,قوقدنح 

uses: Rizk & El-Ghazaly list various medicinal uses including treatment of rashes, abdominal 

cramps and genital diseases. 

Photos: El Amin 15; Coll 512; Corn 134; Daoud 12, 13; Jong 376; Mand 118; Phil 38; Pick 128; Shuaib 89; 

West 77. 

Ononis reclinata L. 

Vernacular names: small restharrow 


status: Native. Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Reported as rare by Batanouny and seen only once recently near Jebel 

Dukhan (JN). 


Ononis sicula Guss. 



habitat & distribution: Recorded from sandy soils in cultivated rodat. 


Parkinsonia aculeata L. 

Vernacular names: ’aqrab 

برقع 



habitat & distribution: Presumably widespread in urban areas. 

uses: Planted as an ornamental tree, for erosion control and a source of firewood and charcoal. 


Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce Plate 64 

فاغ 

Vernacular names: ghaf 

Growth form: Tree. Fl. May–Aug. 


habitat & distribution: A survey by MS confirmed that there are two main areas of distribution in 

C and N Qatar. At the ‘Al Ghafat’ area at Rawdat Rashed there are eight trees and at the ‘Al Ghaf ’ 

area near Medinat Al Shamal there are 13 trees. All are mature specimens, which according to Abdel 

Bari et al. (2007) have an estimated age of 90-150 years or more. Over the country as a whole there 

are likely to be no more than 50 native trees surviving. No young or regenerating trees have been 

seen and it is clear that the species is declining. Qatar lies at the western edge of the distribution of 

the species in the Gulf, with the main native range centred on Dubai (where the species is also under 

threat from habitat destruction) and the eastern Emirates, extending into Oman. It only just reaches 

Saudi Arabia at the edges of the Rub’ Al Khali (Mandaville). Worldwide it occurs in the deserts of 

northern India, parts of southern India, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. It is also planted in Qatar. 

uses: A very important tree in the Arabian Gulf. Bedouin used to eat young leaves and seed pods, 

and they are also consumed by animals. The tree provides good firewood and is used in afforestation 

projects (El Amin). Many medicinal uses are recorded (see also under P. juliflora). 

Photos: Jong 426, 427; Pick 241; West 78. 

Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. Plate 65 

فيوغ 

Vernacular names: mesquite, ghuweif 

Growth form: Tree. Fl. Oct–Jan, Mar–May. 

status: Introduced. Very common. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

FABACEAE 

44 45

FABACEAE 

habitat & distribution: Occasional to abundant or dominant in sandy areas, disturbed habitats 

and cultivated areas. Originally planted in and around towns and villages but now naturalised and 

has spread into desert areas. Several authors note that it is an invasive species and may compete 

with native trees. Many municipalities in the region have tried to eradicate the species with poison, 

burning and uprooting, but this is unlikely to be effective since it is now well established in various 

habitats and produces large quantities of seeds (see also Uses). A prominent individual specimen 

stands on the island in Doha Bay, formerly known as Palm Tree Island. Since August 2005 it has 

not been irrigated but seemingly survives in good condition. 

uses: Jongbloed et al. note that the ‘pods are nutritious and valuable as fodder’, although Cornes 

& Cornes say that the foliage is apparently unpalatable as it is never browsed. This species may 

be best managed by using for charcoal production, which would have environmental benefits by 

reducing the need to import charcoal originating from tropical sources. There have been claims 

that the species causes allergies, but there seems to be a lack of substantial scientific evidence for 

this. The plant is a traditional remedy for catarrh, colds, dysentery, inflammation, stomach-ache, 

sore throats and wounds; the root has diuretic properties (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: Coll 516; Corn 14, 30, 38; Jong 429; Phil 30 L ; Pick 242. 

Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC. 



habitat & distribution: Recorded from Al Magdah, N Qatar. 

uses: Rizk & Ghazaly report that it used in the treatment of skin diseases. 


Scorpiurus muricatus L. 


status: ?Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded from cultivated rodat in N Qatar. 

uses: ‘Good fodder’ (El Amin). 

Photos: Bat 52; Coll 522; Shuaib 89; West 80. 

Senna alexandrina Mill. 

Cassia senna L. 

Vernacular names: senna makki, helul 

لولح ,يكم ةنس 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Mar–Dec. 

status: Introduced. ?Local. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A garden weed. 

uses: Leaves are used for constipation and stomach cramps (Ghazanfar). 


Senna italica Mill. Plate 66 

Cassia italica (Mill.) Spreng.; Cassia obovata Collad. 

لولح ,ةنس ,قرشع 

Vernacular names: senna, ’ishriq, senna, helul 

Growth form: Shrublet or small shrub. Fl. Mar–May. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional, particularly on more compacted soils on gravelly and rocky 

areas, and also in disturbed areas near to habitation. 

uses: Grazed by sheep and goats (El Amin), but Mandaville remarks that some bedouin consider 

it toxic to livestock. It is used as a ‘purgative and stimulant and sold in markets for that use’ 

(Batanouny), but Mandaville says (of eastern Arabia) that there is ‘apparently no record of such 

medicinal use’. Ghazanfar also notes that the leaves and seeds are used to treat constipation and 

stomach cramps. 

Photos: El Amin 12; Bat 47; Coll 523; Corn 1, 39, 125; Jong 383; Mand 105, 106; Phil 34; West 72. 

Senna occidentalis (L.) Link 

Cassia occidentalis L. 

Growth form: Annual or short-lived perennial herb. Fl. Not known. 

status: Introduced. ?Local. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Also recorded: Kuwait. 

habitat & distribution: A garden weed. 


Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. 

Sesbania aegyptiaca (Poir.) Pers. 

Vernacular names: sesban 

Growth form: Shrub or tree. Fl. Not known. 


habitat & distribution: Likely to be found planted or naturalised under shade of trees along 

roadsides or in date plantations. Mandaville comments that in eastern Saudi Arabia it is selfpropogating 

in the larger oases. 

uses: Eaten by man and used for animal fodder; planted for ornamental use and as a soil improver; 

saline-tolerant. A species of high economic importance in some countries. Leaves are used to treat 

skin rashes and wounds (Ghazanfar). 

Photos: None. 

Taverniera aegyptiaca Boiss. 

Growth form: Perennial herb or small shrub. Fl. Mar-Apr. 

status: Native. Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain. 

habitat & distribution: ‘Long runnels dissecting the Miocene country in S Qatar’ (Batanouny). 

notes: There is some confusion over the recording of this and the next species. Most Gulf floras 

only record T. spartea; the two are similar in appearance and so Batanouny’s identification may be 

in doubt. 

Photos: Bat 52; Coll 525; Corn 137; Phil 42. 

Taverniera spartea (Burm. f.) DC. 

Taverniera aegyptiaca Boiss. 

Vernacular names: ’aelijaan, dahseer 



FABACEAE 

46 47 

ريسهد ,ناجلع 

habitat & distribution: Mainly in NE Qatar, where locally frequent on more compact soils. Wellgrown 

bushes occur at Ras Laffan Industrial City (JN) and the species is also found at Al Dhakira, 

Fuwairit and Simaismah (MS). 

Notes: See under T. aegyptiaca. Plants in the NE are presumed to be this species, but have not been 

collected or confirmed by an expert. 

Photos: Coll 527; Jong 385; Mand 133; West 81.

FABACEAE 

Trifolium resupinatum L. 



habitat & distribution: A weed of irrigated farmland. 

uses: Used as fodder (El Amin). 

Photos: West 82. 

Trigonella anguina Delile 

Vernacular names: nafal 


status: Native. Common. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional or frequent in silty depressions; mainly N Qatar. 

uses: Noted as palatable to livestock by Batanouny and El Amin. 

Photos: El Amin 84 L ; Bat 53; Coll 532; Daoud 8, 9; Shuaib 90. 

Trigonella glabra Thunb. 

Trigonella hamosa L., nom. rej. 

Vernacular names: Egyptian fenugreek, nafal, quTeifah 



habitat & distribution: Frequent or abundant in farms and gardens. 

uses: Used as fodder (El Amin). Eaten raw by bedouin as a salad herb (Mandaville). 

Photos: El Amin 15, 84 L ; Bat 53; Coll 533; Corn 138; Daoud 4, 5; Jong 390; Shuaib 90; West 83. 

Trigonella monantha C.A. Mey. 

Vernacular names: nafal 



habitat & distribution: Cultivated rodat in C Qatar. 

Photos: None. 

48 

لفن 

ةفيطق ,لفن 

Trigonella stellata Forssk. Plate 67 

Vernacular names: star fenugreek, nafal, quTeifah, Hilba bariyah 

ةيرب ةبلح ,ةفيطق ,لفن 



habitat & distribution: Frequent in wadis, runnels, depressions and other sandy areas. 

uses: Batanouny notes that it is palatable to sheep & goats, but Mandaville states that excessive 

grazing is reported to cause bloat in livestock. Used by Shammar bedouin women as sweet-scented 

hairdressing (Mandaville quoting Dickson 1955). 

Photos: El Amin 84 L ; Bat 54; Coll 533; Corn 138; Daoud 6, 7; Jong 391; Mand 116; Phil 43; Shuaib 90. 

Vicia monantha Retz. 


status: ?Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

لفن 

PLATES 

1: Avicennia marina 2: Blepharis ciliaris 

3: Ophioglossum polyphyllum 4: Avicennia marina 5: Mesembryanthemum 

cryptanthum 

6: Aizoon canariense 

7: Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum

8: Calotropis procera 

9: Glossonema varians 

10: Glossonema varians 11: Leptadenia pyrotechnica 12: Filago desertorum 

13: Aaronsohnia factorovskyi 14: Atractylis carduus 

15: Centaurea sinaica 

17: Gymnarrhena micrantha 

20: Reichardia tingitana 

18: Ifloga spicata 

16: Pulicaria undulata 

21: Rhanterium epapposum 

19: Koelpinia linearis

22: Arnebia hispidissima 23: Echiocaulon jugatum 

24: Anchusa hispida 

25: Heliotropium bacciferum 26: Ogastemma pusillum 

27: Moltkiopsis ciliata 28: Anastatica hierochuntica 

29: Anastatica hierochuntica 30: Eremobium aegyptiacum 31: Farsetia heliophila 

32: Savignya parviflora 33: Dipterygium glaucum 

35: Paronychia arabica 

34: Herniaria hemistemon 

36: Polycarpaea repens 37: Spergula fallax

38: Sclerocephalus arabicus 39: Silene villosa 

40: Anabasis setifera 

41: Atriplex leucoclada 42: Halopeplis perfoliata 

43: Agriophyllum minus 44: Haloxylon salicornicum 

45: Salicornia europaea 46: Salsola sp. 

47: Seidlitzia rosmarinus 

50: Helianthemum kahiricum 

48: Suaeda aegyptiaca 49: Suaeda vermiculata 

51: Helianthemum lippii

52: Convolvulus cephalopodus 

54: Citrullus colocynthis 

56: Andrachne telephioides 

53: Convolvulus pilosellifolius 58: Acacia ehrenbergiana 59: Acacia tortilis 

55: Cynomorium coccineum 

57: Euphorbia retusa 

60: Astragalus annularis 61: Astragalus eremophilus 

62: Indigofera intricata 63: Lotus halophilus

64: Prosopis cineraria 

68: Erodium glaucophyllum 

65: Prosopis juliflora 

66: Senna italica 67: Trigonella stellata 

69: Erodium laciniatum 70: Salvia aegyptiaca 

71: Frankenia pulverulenta 72: Monsonia nivea 

73: Teucrium polium 

75: Neurada procumbens 

74: Cocculus pendulus 

76: Cistanche tubulosa

77: Plantago ciliata 

78: Emex spinosa 

79: Limonium axillare 80: Scrophularia deserti 81: Fagonia indica 

82: Rumex vesicarius 83: Ziziphus nummularia 

84: Lycium shawii 85: Corchorus depressus 

86: Fagonia ovalifolia 87: Seetzenia lanata 88: Tetraena qatarensis 

89: Tetraena simplex 90: Phoenix dactylifera

91: Cyperus conglomeratus 

93: Dipcadi erythraeum 

95: Chrysopogon plumulosus 

92: Cenchrus ciliaris 

94: Dipcadi erythraeum 

96: Cutandia memphitica 

97: Dichanthium foveolatum 98: Stipa capensis (left) and Lasiurus scindicus 

99: Aeluropus lagopoides 100: Centropodia forsskalii 101: Chrysopogon plumulosus 

102: Lasiurus scindicus 103: Ochthochloa compressa

104: Panicum turgidum 105: Pennisetum divisum 

106: Polypogon monspeliensis 107: Sporobolus ioclados 108: Stipa capensis 

109: Schismus arabicus 

110: Stipagrostis plumosa 

habitat & distribution: Recorded as a weed of irrigated land. 

Photos: Coll 534; West 83. 

FRANKENIACEAE 

Frankenia pulverulenta L. Plate 71 

Vernacular names: moleiH 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Feb–May. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional to abundant on saline ground, including cultivated areas and 

coastal sand. 

uses: Rizk & El-Ghazaly report it to be used as a diuretic. 

Photos: El Amin 58 L ; Bat 73; Coll 329; Corn 113; Daoud 41, 42, 43; Jong 393, 394; Phil 163; Shuaib 87; 

West 103. 

GENTIANACEAE 

Centaurium pulchellum (Sw.) Druce 

Erythraea pulchella (Sw.) Fries 

Vernacular names: lesser centaury 


status: Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny in Al Wabrah. Regarded mainly as a naturalised 

weed in Arabia. 

uses: Various medicinal uses are reported by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 

Photos: Coll 330; Corn 166; Jong 396; Mand 153; Phil 89; West 110. 

Enicostema verticillatum (L.) Engl. ex Gilg 

Enicostema axillare (Lam.) A. Raynal comb. illeg. 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Not known. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded from Qatar University car park. 

Photos: None. 

GERANIACEAE 

FABACEAE / FRANKENIACEAE / GENTIANACEAE / GERANIACEAE 

Erodium glaucophyllum (L.) L’Hér. Plate 68 

Vernacular names: kebaisha, timmair 

ريمت ,ةشيبك 


status: Native. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in gypsum desert, shallow or compacted silty soils. Particularly 

numerous at Dukhan (JN); also recorded Ras Laffan (JN), Al Wakra, Al Karaanah (earlier authors). 

uses: El Amin notes that it is grazed by animals, although Mandaville says that some bedouin report 

that overgrazing on this species can lead to bloat. 

Photos: Bat 55; Coll 332; Corn 146; Daoud 227; Mand 149; Phil 90, 91; Shuaib 72. 

حيلم 

49

GERANIACEAE / LAMIACEAE 

Erodium laciniatum (Cav.) Willd. Plate 69 

Erodium pulverulentum (Cav.) Willd. 

Vernacular names: cut-leaved crane’s-bill, Hambaz, qarnwah 

ةونرق ,زابمح 



habitat & distribution: Frequent to abundant in sandy and silty depressions; mainly C and N 


Photos: Bat 55; Coll 333; Corn 149; Daoud 23, 232, 233; Jong 397; Phil 92; Shuaib 72. 

Erodium oxyrrhynchum M. Bieb. 

Erodium bryoniifolium Boiss. 

Growth form: Annual (occasionally perennial) herb. Fl. Mar–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded from rodat in N Qatar. 

Photos: Coll 335; Daoud 228, 229. 

Geranium molle L. 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in N and S Qatar in rodat and gardens, usually in shade of 

trees. 


Monsonia heliotropioides (Cav.) Boiss. 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Feb–May. 


habitat & distribution: Reported by Batanouny as common; S and W Qatar. El Amin also states 

that it occurs at Al Wakra, Al Karaanah and Mekainis. 


Monsonia nivea (Decne.) Webb Plate 72 

Vernacular names: qarnow, dahmah 

ةمهد ,ونرق 



habitat & distribution: Frequent on gravel and stone plains, compacted sand sheets and similar 

habitats. 

uses: El Amin mentions that some local people boil it to cure fevers. 


LAMIACEAE 

Salvia aegyptiaca L. Plate 70 

Vernacular names: na’aim/na’eem, ra’al 

Growth form: Shrublet or small shrub. Fl. Mar–May. 


لعر ,ميعن 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in shallow silty or sandy soils, in rocky areas, also in depressions 

with coarse soils. 

uses: The plant is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, gonorrhoea, haemorrhoids and eye diseases 

(Rizk & El-Ghazaly, Ghazanfar). 

Photos: El Amin 12; Bat 87; Coll 460; Corn 199; Daoud 248; Jong 405; Phil 137; Pick 32; West 127. 

Teucrium polium L. Plate 73 

Vernacular names: ja’ad/yaad 



habitat & distribution: Stony runnels and silty soils; C and N Qatar. Occasional at Ras Laffan 

(JN) and mentioned for Jebel Fuwairit by earlier authors. 

uses: Many reputed medicinal uses, e.g. for fevers and cholera (El Amin), malaria and insect bites 

(Jongbloed et al., Mandaville). Other medicinal uses are listed by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 

Photos: El Amin 12, 64 L ; Bat 88, 89 L ; Coll 467; Corn 200; Daoud 244; Mand 176; Phil 138; Shuaib 69. 

LINACEAE 

Linum strictum L. 


status: Native. ?Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by El Amin from ‘C Qatar, Wakra hills’ (presumably Jebel Al 

Wakra, E Qatar). Habitat is given as light soils on depressions. 

uses: The seeds yield an oil similar to linseed oil (El Amin). 

Photos: El Amin 87 L . 

LORANTHACEAE 

Plicosepalus acaciae (Zucc.) Wiens & Polhill 

Loranthus acaciae Zucc. 

لدح 

Growth form: Climbing, parasitic shrub. Fl. Sep–Oct. 

status: Native. Local. First record: Al-Madheed (2004). Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional, growing on Acacia and Lycium shawii; especially rodat in C & 

N Qatar. 

Photos: Pick 70. 

Vernacular names: Hadal 

LYTHRACEAE 

Lawsonia inermis L. 

Lawsonia alba Lam. 

Vernacular names: henna, Henna/Hinna 

Growth form: Tree. Fl. Sep–Feb. 


LAMIACEAE / LINACEAE / LORANTHACEAE / LyTHRACEAE 

habitat & distribution: Planted in urban areas in the Gulf, but distribution in Qatar uncertain. 

50 51 

دعج 

انح

LyTHRACEAE / MALVACEAE 

uses: Widely used in the Middle East as a dye for painting hands and feet and worldwide for colouring 

hair and beards. The leaves are used for fevers, as a local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory and for 

treating mouth ulcers (Ghazanfar). Jongbloed et al. remark that it is one of the traditional ‘plants 

of paradise’ which should not be cut for fuel. 

Photos: Bat 16; Jong 441; Pick 179. 

MALVACEAE 

Abutilon fruticosum Guill. & Perr. 

Vernacular names: lowaq, ja’ja’an 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Jan–Apr. 

status: Introduced. ?Local. Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in rodat; C and N Qatar. 

Photos: Bat 70; Coll 549; Ghaz 129. 

Abutilon pannosum (G. Forst.) Schltdl. 

Vernacular names: lowaq 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Apr–Jun. 

status: Introduced. ?Local. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional on rodat in C Qatar. 

ناعجعج ,قاول 

notes: Abutilon hirtum (Lam.) Sweet is listed as a synonym by Jongbloed, though usually regarded 

as a separate species. 

Photos: Bat 70; Coll 551; Jong 413; Pick 132; West 99. 

Althaea ludwigii L. 

Vernacular names: khatma 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in silty, loamy and gravelly soils; mainly in depressions in C 


Photos: El Amin 89 L ; Bat 69; Coll 552; Daoud 52; Jong 414; Shuaib 56. 

Malva nicaeensis All. 

Vernacular names: khubeizah 



habitat & distribution: Recorded only once by Batanouny from a northern farm. 

Photos: None. 

Malva parviflora L. 

Vernacular names: least mallow, cheeseweed, khubeizah 



habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent in sandy soils after rains; is more common in and 

around inhabited and cultivated areas. 

قاول 

ةمتخ 

هزيبخ 

هزيبخ 

uses: Mandaville quotes earlier authors who reported that the leaves are eaten as a vegetable by 

Persians in Kuwait. Phillips notes that the leaves were used in the past to treat coughs and bladder 

complaints. Rizk & El-Ghazaly list a number of medicinal uses and state that the plant is poisonous 

to cattle and horses. Ghazanfar reports that the seeds and leaves are also used to treat fevers and 

ulcers. 

Photos: El Amin 16; Coll 557; Corn 117; Daoud 50, 51; Jong xix, 416; Phil 129; Pick 181; Shuaib 56; West 

100. 

MENISPERMACEAE 

Cocculus pendulus (J.R. & G. Forst.) Diels Plate 74 

قينخ 

Vernacular names: khuneeq 

Growth form: Climber. Fl. Mar–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded from Al Karaanah and Al Kharrarah. Still at the latter location, 

and also present at Qatar University campus (MS). Usually grows over Ziziphus or Acacia trees. 

uses: Fruit edible (El Amin). Used in the treatment of fevers (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 16; Bat 40; Coll 563; Ghaz 8, 9; Jong 421; West 55, 56. 

MOLLUGINACEAE 

Mollugo cerviana (L.) Ser. 

Vernacular names: carpetweed 


status: Introduced. ?Rare. Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Previously recorded by Batanouny from farmed rodat in N and C Qatar. 

uses: A number of medicinal properties are listed by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 


MORACEAE 

Ficus carica L. 

Vernacular names: fig, teen 

نيت 

Growth form: Shrub or tree. Fl. Not known. 

status: Introduced. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: One of the more widely planted fig species. It may occasionally escape 

into the wild. 

uses: Grown for fruit and as an ornamental plant. 

Photos: Ghaz 16; West 31. 

Morus nigra L. 

MALVACEAE / MENISPERMACEAE / MOLLUGINACEAE / MORACEAE 

Vernacular names: black mulberry 


status: Introduced. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Present distribution in Qatar not known but widespread in the Gulf. 

uses: Ornamental planting. 

Photos: none. 

52 53

MyRSINACEAE / NEURADACEAE / OROBANCHACEAE 

MYRSINACEAE 

Anagallis arvensis L. 

Vernacular names: ’ayn al qaT (cat’s-eye), ’uwaynah (little eye) 

ةنيوع ،طقلا نيع 

blue/scarlet pimpernel 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in cultivated areas and rodat with trees, particularly in N and 

NW Qatar. 

uses: Ghazanfar reports the whole plant is used to treat skin rash and ulcers. 

notes: Formerly placed in the Primulaceae. The blue-flowered form, currently known as A. arvensis 

subsp. foemina Mill., appears to be the usual form in Qatar and other parts of the Gulf, but the 

scarlet-flowered form has also been reported. 

Photos: Bat 75; Coll 621; Daoud 195; Ghaz 209-10; Jong 473; Mand 103; Phil 157, 158; Pick 35; Shuaib 

56; West 108. 

NEURADACEAE 

Neurada procumbens L. Plate 75 

Vernacular names: creeping thorn rose, sa’adan 

ناديعس 



habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent in shallow or deep sand; mainly S Qatar. 

uses: It is well known that the seed pods embed themselves in the hooves of livestock and can cause 

lameness. El Amin states that the fruit is ‘edible by man and loved by many animals’ and Mandaville 

that the fruit is ‘not unpleasant… plucked well before they begin to harden’. 

Photos: El Amin 17; Bat 40; Coll 573; Daoud 1; Jong 438; Mand 104; Phil 147; Shuaib 105; West 68. 

OROBANCHACEAE 

Cistanche tubulosa (Schrenk) Wight Plate 76 

Cistanche lutea Wight; Cistanche phelypaea (L.) Cout.; Cistanche tinctoria (Forssk.) G. Beck. 

ثوترط ,نونذ 

Vernacular names: desert hyacinth, dhanoon, Tartuth 

Growth form: Parasitic herb. Fl. Mar–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Mainly in coastal areas, including coastal sands along beaches, where 

occasional or forming small clumps. Host plants include Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Cornulaca 

spp, Limonium axillare, Suaeda vermiculata and Tetraena qatarensis. 

uses: ‘Said to be poisonous’ (El Amin). Rizk & El-Ghazaly describe its use as an aphrodisiac, and a 

tonic to cure impotence and diarrhoea. 

notes: C. phelypaea is here combined with C. tubulosa; but it is possible that they are distinct but 

closely-related species and that both occur in Qatar. 

Photos: El Amin 17; Bat 93; Coll 586; Corn 40, 186; Daoud 22, 224, 225; Jong 444; Mand 189, 190; Phil 

54, 55; Pick 140; Shuaib 52; West 135. 

Orobanche ramosa L. 

Vernacular names: hemp broomrape, branched broomrape 

Growth form: Parasitic herb. Fl. Mar. 

status: Introduced. ?Rare. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Also recorded: Kuwait. 

habitat & distribution: A parasite on Solanum nigrum. 

Photos: Pick 36; Shuaib 53. 

OxALIDACEAE 

Oxalis corniculata L. 

Vernacular names: creeping sorrel, Hamd/muHummad 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Apr–Jun. 

status: Introduced. Local. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A weed of lawns and gardens in Doha. 

54 55 

دمحم/دمح 

uses: The plant has numerous medicinal uses, including the treatment of bruises, clots, fever, snake 

bite and infections (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: Coll 591; Jong 447; Pick 133; Shuaib 73. 

Oxalis debilis Kunth 

Oxalis corymbosa DC. 



habitat & distribution: Recorded as a weed of gardens. 

notes: Plants recorded in Qatar are probably referable to var. corymbosa (DC.) Lourteig. 

Photos: None. 

Oxalis pes-caprae L. 

Oxalis cernua Thunb. 


status: Introduced. ?Local. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Cultivated areas, C and N Qatar. A weed of garden origin. 

uses: ‘Leaves eaten in Iran in stews but bitter in taste’ (El Amin). 


PLANTAGINACEAE 

Plantago amplexicaulis Cav. 

OROBANCHACEAE / OxALIDACEAE / PLANTAGINACEAE 

Vernacular names: rabl, rablat al mistaH 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in silty and sandy depressions in C and N Qatar. 

uses: The plant has various medicinal properties. 

Photos: El Amin 94 L ; Bat 94; Coll 601; Daoud 197; Jong 452; Shuaib 103. 

حطسملا ةلبر ,لبر

PLANTAGINACEAE 

Plantago ciliata Desf. Plate 77 

Vernacular names: rabl, lisan al Hamal, quraiTah, wedaina 

ةنيدو ,ةطيرق ,لمحلا ناسل ,لبر 



habitat & distribution: Only a single plant was found during a survey of western Qatar in 2007 

(JN and S. Aspinall). Batanouny recorded it as ‘fairly common especially in sandy habitats in S 

Qatar’. 

Photos: El Amin 17; Bat 94; Coll 602; Daoud 201; Jong 454; Shuaib 103; West 137. 

Plantago coronopus L. 

Vernacular names: buck’s-horn plantain, rabl, wedaina 

ةنيدو ,لبر 



habitat & distribution: Previously recorded from Dukhan; recorded twice recently in W Qatar. 

uses: The roots are used to treat haemorrhoids, malaria and fevers; the leaves are locally applied 

to wounds, burns, abscesses, bites and inflammations (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

notes: A specimen collected from western Qatar (JN, 2007) was determined by E. Clement as 

Plantago commutata Guss. (P. coronopus subsp. commutata (Guss.) Pilg.). 

Photos: Coll 602; Daoud 196; Phil 155; Shuaib 104. 

Plantago lanceolata L. 

Vernacular names: rabl 


status: Introduced. Local. Also recorded: Kuwait. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in cultivated areas in C Qatar. 

uses: Medicinal uses are described by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 


Plantago ovata Forssk. 




habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy habitats; S Qatar. 

uses: Seeds reportedly have been used by bedouin as a laxative (Mandaville). Rizk & El-Ghazaly 

report many medicinal uses and Ghazanfar that the seeds are used as an astringent, a diuretic and 

for treating venereal disease. 

Photos: El Amin 94 L ; Coll 604; Daoud 199; Jong 455; Mand 184; Shuaib 104; West 137. 

Plantago psyllium L. 


لبر 



habitat & distribution: Recorded on the road from Doha to N Qatar near Umm Slal Mohammed 

by Batanouny. 

Photos: None. 

لبر 

لبر 

PLUMBAGINACEAE 

Limonium axillare (Forssk.) Kuntze Plate 79 

Statice axillaris Forssk. 

فطق 

Vernacular names: sea lavender, qaTaf 



habitat & distribution: Frequent to dominant on beaches, sabkha edge and other saline habitats 

around the coasts. 

uses: Ghazanfar states the whole plant is used against diarrhoea and as an astringent. 

notes: The related species Limonium carnosum (Boiss.) Kuntze is recorded from Kuwait, Saudi 

Arabia, UAE and doubtfully Oman (Ghazanfar 2003), and is therefore quite likely to occur in Qatar. 

Photos: El Amin 17; Bat 76; Coll 605; Corn 94; Ghaz 93; Jong 457; Mand 61; Phil 20, 164; Pick 76; West 109. 

POLYGALACEAE 

Polygala erioptera DC. 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy areas and rodat in C Qatar including Dukhan area 

and Al Wakra. 

uses: Jongbloed et al. state that the generic name comes from the belief that ‘animals feeding on 

these species would produce more milk’. 

Photos: El Amin 97 L ; Bat 65; Coll 607; Jong 459; West 96. 

Polygala irregularis Boiss. 


status: Native. Common. Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Reported by earlier authors as common, especially in NE Qatar on sandy 

or gravelly soils. 


POLYGONACEAE 

PLUMBAGINACEAE / POLyGALACEAE / POLyGONACEAE 

Calligonum comosum L’Hér. 

Calligonum polygonoides subsp. comosum (L’Hér.) Soskov 

Vernacular names: abal, arta 



habitat & distribution: Recorded by El Amin from a sand dune near Umm Bab. 

uses: ‘The fruits are edible and freshen the mouth with their tart taste’ (Cornes & Cornes). Twigs 

said to be pounded and added to milk as a flavouring or tonic (Mandaville). Cornes & Cornes also 

mention that it is said to be used in a balm for skin ailments. El Amin says the woody base was used 

for firewood. Also reported by early authors to be used by bedouin in the tanning of hides. 

Photos: El Amin 18, 99 L ; Coll 611; Corn 32, 90; Daoud 154, 155; Ghaz 86, 87, 88; Jong 462, 463; Phil 83, 84; 

Pick 185; Shuaib 100; West 32. 

56 57

POLyGONACEAE 

Emex spinosa (L.) Campd. Plate 78 

Rumex spinosus L. 

Vernacular names: prickly dock, Hanzab/Hambaz, Ders al ’ajooz 

زوجعلا سرض ,زابمح/بازنح 



habitat & distribution: Occasional or frequent in sandy habitats. 

uses: Phillips and Mandaville note that the plant is edible. It is used as a remedy for stomach 

disorders (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 


Polygonum argyrocoleum Steud. ex Kunze 

Vernacular names: ghardab 

بدرغ 


status: ?Introduced. ?Local. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A weed of moist ground in cultivated rodat. 

notes: The record of P. equisetiformis by Obeid (1975) reported by Batanouny, a Mediterranean 

species, is probably referable to this species (see Miller & Cope 1996, p. 129) as is Polygonum bellardii 

Sibth. & Sm. (P. bellardii All.) recorded by El Amin. Miller & Cope do not list P. bellardii for Arabia. 


Rumex cyprius Murb. 


status: ?Introduced. Rare. Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from silty depressions. 

uses: ‘It is grazed by animals and the leaves are eaten by man as salad or cooked in stews’ (El Amin). 


Rumex dentatus L. 

Vernacular names: khillah 


status: ?Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Previously recorded from damp, sandy soils and silty depressions in 

cultivated areas. 

uses: Rizk & El-Ghazaly mention that an infusion of the plant is used as a cooling agent against 

sunstroke and that the root is astringent and applied to skin disorders. 


Rumex vesicarius L. Plate 82 

Vernacular names: sorrel, bladderdock, hummayD 



ةلخ 

ضيمح 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in rocky terrain in shallow deposits of sand or silt, but also 

recorded in cultivated areas. 

uses: The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Mandaville reports from an earlier source that it was 

sometimes added during preparation of iqt (dried milk shards) to increase the acidity. A long list of 

medicinal properties are given by Rizk & El-Ghazaly and other authors. Ghazanfar states that the 

leaves and seeds are used to treat scorpion stings. 

Photos: El Amin 18; Bat 18; Coll 616; Daoud 158, 159; Ghaz 85; Jong 470; Pick 79; Shuaib 100; West 34. 

PORTULACACEAE 

Portulaca oleracea L. 

Vernacular names: purslane, barbir, baqlah, rijlah 

ةلجر ,ةلقب ,ريبرب 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Apr–Sep. 


habitat & distribution: Frequent in cultivated areas, including gardens. 

uses: A salad herb, widely cultivated and available in many of Qatar’s markets as well as grocery 

stores and supermarkets. Is also highly palatable to animals. Jongbloed et al. also note that it is used 

as a bactericide, and in the treatment of worms, among other uses. Phillips said it was eaten to help 

digestion and other authors also note its diuretic properties. 

Photos: El Amin 18; Bat 20; Coll 618; Corn 89, 272; Jong 471; Phil 159; Pick 135; Shuaib 73; West 36. 

RESEDACEAE 

Ochradenus aucheri Boiss. 

Ochradenus dewittii Abdallah 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Oct-May. 


habitat & distribution: It is normally a species of rocky habitats. Batanouny collected this species 

near Al Wukair. 

Photos: Ghaz 202; Jong 476, 478; West 67. 

Ochradenus baccatus Delile 

POLyGONACEAE / PORTULACACEAE / RESEDACEAE 

Vernacular names: qurDi 

يضرق 



habitat & distribution: Occasional or frequent in sandy or gravelly depressions, growing amongst 

Acacia, Ziziphus and Lycium. It can be seen by the roadside of the Al Shamal highway from north of 

Doha to Al Khor and from Al Rayyan to Rawdat Rashed (MS); strong populations also occur inside 

Qatar University and the surrounding areas. 

uses: Cornes & Cornes say that it is mainly eaten by goats which strip the plants down to a few 

centimetres. The twigs, leaves and flowers are applied to wounds and sores to kill maggots (Rizk & 

El-Ghazaly). Ghazanfar reports the fruit and leaves are used to treat stomach-ache. 

Photos: Bat 38; Coll 638; Corn 110; Daoud 12, 119, 120; Ghaz 196-7; Mand 98, 99; Phil 130; Shuaib 101. 

Oligomeris linifolia (Vahl) J.F. Macbr. 

Oligomeris subulata (Delile) Boiss.; Reseda subulata Delile 



habitat & distribution: Frequent to abundant on harder substrates; mainly C and S Qatar. 

uses: Grazed by animals, especially goats and sheep (El Amin). 

Photos: Bat 39; Coll 639; Corn 113; Daoud 122; Jong 479; Phil 131; Shuaib 101. 

58 59

RESEDACEAE / RHAMNACEAE 

Reseda arabica Boiss. 

Vernacular names: shawlah 



habitat & distribution: Recorded from C and S Qatar, including Umm Bab. 

Photos: Coll 639; Daoud 12, 126, 127; Mand 100; Shuaib 102. 

Reseda aucheri Boiss. 


Growth form: Annual or perennial. Fl. Mar–Apr. 

status: Native. ?Rare. Also recorded: Kuwait, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: El Amin recorded it from gravelly depressions in C Qatar. The habitat in 

the UAE is gravel plains and mountains (Jongbloed). 

notes: The plant occurring in Qatar and other parts of the Gulf is R. aucheri var. bracteata (Boiss.) 

Abdallah & De Wit. 

Photos: Coll 639; Ghaz 203; Jong 480; Pick 186; West 67. 

Reseda muricata C. Presl. 



status: Native. Common. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in compacted silty sand, in gypsum desert, and in shallows 

soil in rocky areas. 

uses: The plant possesses antimicrobial activity (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 106 L ; Bat 39; Coll 641; Daoud 13, 129, 130; Mand 101; Shuaib 102. 

RHAMNACEAE 

Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. 

Vernacular names: sidr, nabaq (fruit), kenar (fruit) 

Growth form: Tree. Fl. Mar–Apr. 

status: Introduced. Common. Not in other Gulf floras. 

ةلوش 

ةلوش 

ةلوش 

)ةرمث( رانك ,)ةرمث( قبن ,ردس 

habitat & distribution: Occasional to locally frequent where planted in farms, gardens and 

roadsides. Rarely naturalised. 

uses: Planted along roadsides as a shade tree. The fruits are edible. 

Photos: El Amin 18; Bat 68. 

Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. f.) Wight & Arn. Plate 83 

Vernacular names: sidr, nabaq (fruit), kenar (fruit), dom (fruit) 

Growth form: Shrub or tree. Fl. Mar–May. 


)ةرمث( رانك ,)ةرمث( قبن ,ردس 

habitat & distribution: Occurs in C and S Qatar in sandy depressions; often dominant or mixed 

with Acacia spp. 

uses: The fruit is edible, sweet and ‘also used to treat coughs’ (El Amin). The species can be used 

for firewood. El Amin also comments on its ability to trap sand and control erosion. Mandaville 

citing earlier others reports that the sidr tree (including Z. spina-christi) was used to make the hookended 

camel stick known as the mush’ab and that some tribes had a tradition that sidr thickets were 

haunted by jinn (spirits), so were not cut for fuel. An infusion of the leaves is used to treat stomach 

complaints, sore throats and ease joint pains, whilst the leaves are also applied to treat scabies and 

boils (El Amin, Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 19; Bat 66 L , 67; Coll 645; Corn 158; Mand 136. 

Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. 

Vernacular names: Christ’s thorn, sidr, nabaq (fruit) 

)ةرمث( قبن ,ردس 

Growth form: Tree. Fl. Mar–Apr. 

status: Introduced. Local. Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent in farms and roadside plantations. Rarely found 

naturalised. 

uses: A list of medicinal uses is given by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. Ghazanfar reports that the leaves, fruit 

and seeds are used to treat blisters, bruises, chest pains, dandruff, fractures and mouth and gum 

problems. 

Photos: Bat 68; Coll 645; Jong 481; Pick 247; West 97. 

RUBIACEAE 

Galium tricornutum Dandy 


status: Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded from Al Magdah by Batanouny, growing over Ziziphus. 

Photos: Jong 488; Shuaib 57. 

RUTACEAE 

Haplophyllum tuberculatum (Forssk.) Juss. 

Vernacular names: musaykah (‘muskweed’), Tafr at-tais/sinan at-tais سيتلا نانس/سيتلا رفط ,ةكيسم 

(‘smell of the goat’) 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in S, W and C Qatar on sandy soils. 

uses: El Amin remarks that the plant is ‘not liked’ as grazing, and that the ‘bedouin use it to 

cure scorpion stings’. Ghazanfar mentions the leaves are used to ‘strengthen back muscles after 

childbirth, for chest pains, flatulence, stomach problems and as a sedative’. 

Photos: Bat 65; Coll 662; Daoud 71; Jong 493; Mand 137; Pick 138; Shuaib 58; West 95. 

SALVADORACEAE 

Salvadora persica L. 

RHAMNACEAE / RUBIACEAE / RUTACEAE / SALVADORACEAE 

Vernacular names: toothbrush tree, miswak/suwak, rak/’arak 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Mar–Jul. 

status: Introduced. ?Common. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

كرع/كر ,كاوس/كاوسم 

60 61

SALVADORACEAE / SAPINDACEAE / SCROPHULARIACEAE 

habitat & distribution: Distribution in Qatar uncertain. Widely planted and naturalised in the 

Gulf and native to parts of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the far east of UAE (Jongbloed). One longestablished 

clump occurs by an old well within Ras Laffan Industrial City (JN). 

uses: The twigs are traditionally chewed to clean the teeth and are a familiar sight in Arabic markets. 

Jongbloed et al. list many medicinal uses of the fresh and dried leaves, including the treatment of 

sore joints and scorpion stings. 

Photos: Coll 665; Jong 495; Pick 219; West 97. 

SAPINDACEAE 

Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. 

Dodonaea angustifolia L. f. 

Growth form: Shrub or small tree. Fl. Jan–May. 


habitat & distribution: Mainly planted by roadsides. Native to parts of Saudi Arabia and the 

Hajar Mountains in UAE (Jongbloed). 

uses: As an ornamental and for screening; often clipped into hedges. Ghazanfar reports that the 

leaves are used for treating toothache; many other medicinal uses are listed by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 

notes: Possibly two or more subspecies occur, including subsp. viscosa Jacq. and subsp. angustifolia 

(L. f.) J.G. West. 


SCROPHULARIACEAE 

Misopates orontium (L.) Raf. 

Antirrhinum orontium L. 

Vernacular names: weasel’s snout, saysam 



habitat & distribution: Recorded from cultivated fields in C Qatar. 


Scrophularia deserti Delile Plate 80 

بيدلا بنع ,هريفز ,ةنيفع ,ةتيز 

Vernacular names: desert figwort, zeita, ’afeena, zafairah, ’inab al Deeb 



habitat & distribution: Occasional; generally on harder substrates in shallow sand or sandy 

runnels, especially in S and C Qatar. 

Photos: El Amin 19; Bat 92; Coll 683; Corn 191; Daoud 218, 219; Jong 511; Phil 88; Shuaib 70; West 134. 

Veronica cymbalaria Bodard 



habitat & distribution: A weed of gardens in Doha. 


مسيس 

SOLANACEAE 

Datura innoxia Mill. 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Mar–Sep. 

status: Introduced. Rare. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Also recorded: Kuwait. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded from Doha. 


Lycium shawii Roem. & Schult. Plate 84 

جسوع 

Vernacular names: desert thorn, ’awsaj 

Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Jan–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Frequent to locally dominant on hamada, in sandy and silty depressions, 

runnels, wadis and on rocky slopes. Stunted specimens have been recorded in saline habitats. Often 

grows with stands of Acacia and Ziziphus trees. 

uses: Grazed by animals and the berries are eaten by man; Cornes & Cornes note that the leaves 

provide browsing for camels and gazelles. Mandaville gives a detailed account relating to the old 

bedouin superstition that the plant is the abode of jinn (spirits), so some tribes do not use it for 

firewood. He states that it does not in any case provide good fuel, being ‘rather thorny and difficult 

to break’. Medicinally, the stems are used as a diuretic, laxative and tonic (Ghazanfar). 

Photos: El Amin 20; Bat 90, 91 L ; Coll 701; Corn 192; Daoud 210, 211; Jong 515; Mand 159; Phil 149; Pick 

190; Shuaib 83; West 129. 

Physalis angulata L. 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. May. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from Doha as a weed amongst a cultivated plants. 

Photos: None. 

Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. 



habitat & distribution: A weed of irrigated, cultivated areas in N Qatar. 


Solanum villosum (L.) Mill. 

Solanum nigrum L. var humile (Bernh.) Asch. 

SOLANACEAE 

Vernacular names: hairy nightshade, ’inab al-deeb 

بيدلا بنع 


status: Introduced. ?Local. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A weed of disturbed and enriched habitats, including cultivated areas, 

sewage ponds and gardens. 

uses: Batanouny noted that the fruit is edible. Mandaville states that although sometimes listed as 

a poisonous plant, he has seen the ripe berries being eaten. The plant is used as a diuretic and a 

long list of additional medicinal uses is given by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 

Photos: Coll 705; Jong 519; Pick 192; Shuaib 84; West 130. 

62 63

TAMARICACEAE / TILIACEAE 

TAMARICACEAE 

Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst. 

Vernacular names: tamarisk, ’athl, Tarfah 

Growth form: Tree. Fl. Oct–Feb. 


ةفرط ,لثع 

habitat & distribution: A frequently planted tree, often used as screening or shelterbelt around 

farms. 

uses: Mandaville notes its economic importance in Saudi Arabia, listing various uses including 

traditional house construction, ornamental planting, afforestation and dune stabilization. A 

number of medicinal uses is given by Rizk & El-Ghazaly and Ghazanfar. 

Photos: Ghaz 139; Jong 523; Pick 85. 

Tamarix aucheriana (Decne.) Baum 


Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Apr–May, Oct–Nov. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded by El Amin from Jebel Dukhan. 

uses: Used as firewood and the bark provides tannins; used for shelter belts (El Amin). 


Tamarix passerinoides Delile 




Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Apr–Aug. 


habitat & distribution: Previously recorded from saline soils in SW Qatar, including Jebel Dukhan. 

uses: Used as firewood (El Amin). 


Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. 


Growth form: Shrub. Fl. Mar–Dec. 

status: Native. ?Local. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from ‘saline ground, mainly in S. Qatar’. 

Photos: None. 

TILIACEAE 


Corchorus depressus (L.) Stocks Plate 85 

ربلا ةيخلم 

Vernacular names: mulakhiyah al bar 

Growth form: A prostrate shrublet. Fl. Mar–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent on silty or sandy depressions with compacted soil. 

uses: Rizk & El-Ghazaly report that the plant is used for removing tumours and pain. 

Photos: El Amin 20; Bat 69; Coll 715; Corn 118; Ghaz 107; Jong 526; Mand 63; Phil 127; Pick 142; West 98. 

Corchorus olitorius L. 

Vernacular names: mulakhiyah 


status: Introduced. ?Local. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional as a weed of crops. 

uses: The leaves are used as a vegetable to make the Arabic dish mulakhiyah. A number of medicinal 

uses are listed by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 

Photos: Coll 716; Ghaz 108. 

Corchorus trilocularis L. 

Vernacular names: wild jute, mulakhiyah al bar 

ربلا ةيخلم 



habitat & distribution: Reported as rare in N Qatar by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. El Amin listed C. 

trilocularis in the Arabic index to his book, but it was omitted from the species accounts. 

uses: Cultivated as a vegetable. A number of medicinal uses are listed by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 


URTICACEAE 

Forsskaolea tenacissima L. 

Vernacular names: lazzaq, tubbaq 


status: ?Native. Rare. Also recorded: UAE. 

64 65 

ةيخلم 

قابط ,قازل 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by El Amin from sandy soils and gravelly depressions, but he 

does not mention a location. 

Photos: Coll 738; Jong xii, 538; Pick 221; West 30. 

Forsskaolea viridis Ehrenb. 

Growth form: Annual herb. Fl. Jan–Apr. 

status: Native. ?Rare. First published record: Obeid (1975), but needs confirmation; not listed for 

Qatar by Miller & Cope. Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: The typical habitat in Saudi Arabia is wadi bottoms and rocky slopes 

(Miller & Cope). 


Parietaria alsinifolia Delile 


status: ?Native. Rare. Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Previously recorded from rodat, including Al Magdah. 


Urtica urens L. 



TILIACEAE / URTICACEAE

URTICACEAE / VERBENACEAE / ZyGOPHyLLACEAE 

habitat & distribution: A weed of irrigated gardens. 

uses: Many medicinal uses such as to sooth wounds and ulcers and to treat diarrhoea (Rizk & El- 

Ghazaly). 


VERBENACEAE 

Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene 

Lippia nodiflora (L.) Michx. 

Vernacular names: frogfruit 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. May–Jun. 

status: Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A weed of wet places. 

uses: Sometimes cultivated as ground cover in parts of the Gulf. A wide variety of medical uses are 

known (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: Bat 88; Coll 747; Corn 203; Jong 541; Phil 177; Pick 86; Shuaib 74; West 125. 

Stachytarphaeta angustifolia (Mill.) Vahl 

Growth form: Annual or perennial herb. Fl. Mar–Apr. 

status: ?Introduced. ?Local. Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by El Amin from rodat and runnels in C Qatar, but not recorded 

by any other authors from Arabia. 

uses: El Amin mentions that it is used medicinally in West Africa to treat dysentery, heart troubles, 

eye and ear sores. 

Photos: None. 

ZYGOPHYLLACEAE 

Fagonia bruguieri DC. 

Vernacular names: DHuraymah 

ةميرظ 

Growth form: Biennial or perennial herb. Fl. Mar–May. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy and gravelly habitats. 

uses: Rizk & El-Ghazaly describe a number of medicinal uses. 

notes: Batanouny describes three varieties occurring in Qatar: var. bruguieri, var. laxa Boiss. and 

var. rechingeri Hadidi. 

Photos: El Amin 20; Coll 757; Daoud 55, 56; Jong 545; Mand 138; Shuaib 81; West 87. 

Fagonia glutinosa Delile 

Vernacular names: DHuraymah 

Growth form: Biennial or perennial herb. Fl. Mar–Apr. 

status: Native. Local. Also recorded: Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy areas; probably widespread. 

Photos: El Amin 20; Bat 57; Coll 757; Daoud 54; Shuaib 81. 

ةميرظ 

Fagonia indica Burm. f. Plate 81 

Vernacular names: DHuraymah, shwaikah, shka’e 

يعاكش ,ةكيوش ,ةميرظ 



habitat & distribution: Occasional on harder substrates and disturbed areas around inhabited 

areas. 

uses: Ghazanfar reports that the leaves, stems and roots are used for treating abdominal colic, 

dyspepsia, fever and venereal disease. 

Photos: El Amin 21; Bat 57; Coll 758; Jong 546; Phil 173; Pick 87; West 87. 

Fagonia ovalifolia Hadidi Plate 86 

Vernacular names: DHuraymah, shwaikah, shka’e 

يعاكش ,ةكيوش ,ةميرظ 



habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent in softer sand. 

notes: Subspecies ovalifolia and pakistanica Ghafoor both occur in Qatar; var. qatarensis Hadidi has 

also been described (IPNI), presumably from Qatar. 

Photos: El Amin 21; Bat 58 L , 59; Coll 758; Corn 153; Jong 547; West 88. 

Fagonia tenuifolia Steud. & Hochst. ex Boiss. 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Apr. 

status: Native. ?Local. Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by El Amin from Al Sheehaniyah and Al Karaanah in sandy 

depressions and runnels. 

Photos: El Amin 21; Coll 759. 

Seetzenia lanata (Willd.) Bullock Plate 87 

Seetzenia orientalis Decne. 

Vernacular names: Habyan/Habein 

نيبح/نايبح 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy habitats in C and S Qatar. 

Photos: El Amin 22, 118 L ; Bat 60; Coll 760; Corn 153; Daoud 53 L ; Jong 548; Mand 139; Pick 222; West 88. 

Tetraena qatarensis (Hadidi) Beier & Thulin Plate 88 

Zygophyllum qatarense Hadidi 

Vernacular names: harm 


ZyGOPHyLLACEAE 

status: Native. Very common. Endemic to the Arabian Peninsula. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, 

E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Frequent to abundant, or dominant in hamada, gravel plains and saline 

sandy habitats, including sabkha edge and beaches. 

uses: Not edible to humans and usually avoided by wild animals and livestock. Mandaville remarks 

that it provides ‘useful summer grazing, but considered unhealthy in excess’. 

66 67 

مره

ZyGOPHyLLACEAE 

notes: All Zygophyllum species in Arabia have recently been transferred to the genus Tetraena 

(Beier et al. 2003). Mandaville notes that this is a rather variable species that was often attributed 

incorrectly to Zygophyllum coccineum L. It is possible that other Gulf and Saudi Arabian species, such 

as T. mandavillei may also occur inside the borders of Qatar. 

Photos: El Amin 22, 120 L ; Bat 61; Coll 764, 766; Corn 145, 154; Daoud 58, 59, 60; Jong 290, 555; Mand 142; 

Phil 172, 175; Pick 196; Shuaib 82; West 90. 

Tetraena simplex (L.) Beier & Thulin Plate 89 

Zygophyllum simplex L. 

Vernacular names: harm/hureim, da’a 



اعد ,ميره/مره 

habitat & distribution: Occasional or frequent in stony habitats and compacted, often saline soils. 

uses: In Bahrain, the leaves are used as an antibiotic and laxative; infusion of leaves or the seeds 

is applied to the eyes in ophthalmia (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 22, 120 L ; Bat 62; Coll 766; Corn 157; Jong 556; Phil 176; Pick 145; West 91. 

Tribulus arabicus H. Hosni 

Vernacular names: shershir 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Feb–Sep. 

status: Native. Rare. An Arabian endemic. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Shallow, fine textured soil and pebbly habitats (Batanouny). 

uses: Mandaville states that it is a main camel grazing species in parts of the Rub’ Al Khali. 

Photos: Coll 761; Jong 549; Mand 143, 144. 

Tribulus cistoides L. 

Tribulus terrestris var. cistoides (L.) C. Moore & Betche 



status: Native. Rare. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Not in other Gulf floras. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by Abdel Bari from Al Sheehaniyah race track. 

Photos: None. 

Tribulus pterophorus C. Presl 




habitat & distribution: Recorded only from Al Mashbiya (the area NE of Abu Samrah) by El Amin 

from an area with stony soils. 

Photos: El Amin 21, 118 L . 

Tribulus terrestris L. 


Growth form: Annual or biennial herb. Fl. Apr–Dec. 


رشرش 

رشرش 

رشرش 

رشرش 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in gravelly and sandy habitats, including disturbed areas 

around camps, etc.; S and C Qatar. 

uses: A wide variety of medicinal uses are described by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 

Photos: El Amin 21, 118 L ; Bat 60; Coll 763; Daoud 61, 62; Jong 553; Pick 146; Shuaib 82; West 89. 

ANGIOSPERMAE: MONOCOTyLEDONEAE 

ARECACEAE 

Phoenix dactylifera L. Plate 90 

Vernacular names: date palm, nakhl 

لخن 

Growth form: Tree. Fl. Apr–May. 

status: Introduced. Very common. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Planted all over Qatar. Naturalised on the coast at Umm Bab. 

uses: Cultivated in plantations and gardens, especially for the edible fruit (date); also along 

roadsides to provide greenery and shade. Various authors describe cultural uses, including making 

ropes, baskets, roofing and used in the construction of boats and houses. It can also be used as 

firewood. Jongbloed et al. note that it has medicinal uses. 

Photos: El Amin 27; Coll 593; Corn 253, 254; Jong 13; Phil 19; West 167. 

CYMODOCEACEAE 

Diplanthera uninervis (Forssk.) F.N.Williams 

Halodule uninervis (Forssk.) Asch. 

Vernacular names: seagrass 

Growth form: Marine perennial herb. Fl. Not known. 

status: Native. Common. First published record: Abdel Bari (1997). Not in other Gulf floras, 

though marine flowering plants appear to have been overlooked by some authors. 

habitat & distribution: Intertidal areas around the coast; widespread (BB). 

uses: Diplanthera spp. and Halophila spp. (p. 71) are an important component of the marine food 

chain, but further study is needed on them in Qatar. 

notes: Diplanthera wrightii (Asch.) Asch has been reported from Bahrain by Cornes & Cornes and 

may also be found in Qatar (see Mandaville 1990, p. 331). 

Photos: None. 

CYPERACEAE 

ZyGOPHyLLACEAE / ARECACEAE / CyMODOCEACEAE / CyPERACEAE 

Bolboschoenus maritimus (L.) Palla 

Scirpus maritimus L. 

Growth form: Sedge. Fl. Mar–Jun. 


habitat & distribution: Batanouny only recorded it in a permanently wet area at Ras Ushirij, at 

the edge of a patch of Typha domingensis. 


68 69

CyPERACEAE 

Cyperus conglomeratus Rottb. Plate 91 

Cyperus aucheri Jaub. & Spach 

Vernacular names: thanda, rasha, ’andeb, sa’ed, qassis 

سيسق ,دعس ,بدنع ,اشر ,ةدنث 

Growth form: Sedge. Fl. May–Jun. 


habitat & distribution: A plant characteristic of deeper sand, especially larger dunes, but in Qatar 

also locally abundant around coastal areas on beach sand and on white sand inland. Occasional to 

locally frequent in other habitats, such as sandy wadis and runnels. 

uses: Grazed, but considered inferior as fodder. Jongbloed et al. note that the rhizomes are 

sometimes used as food by humans in times of hunger. 

notes: This is a very variable group comprising a number of different described varieties and 

forms, but further study of plants in Qatar and other parts of the Gulf is still needed. For further 

information see Batanouny and Mandaville. 

Photos: El Amin 23; Bat 124; Coll 279; Corn 233; Jong 18; Phil 167; Pick 261; Shuaib 51; West 168. 

Cyperus jeminicus Rottb 

Cyperus conglomeratus subsp. jeminicus (Rottb.) Lye 

Vernacular names: rukbah, sa’ed 

Growth form: Sedge. Fl. Apr–May. 

status: Native. Local. Also recorded E Saudi Arabia. 

دعس ,ةبكر 

habitat & distribution: Locally frequent in coastal saline sand, including Ras Laffan, Fuwairit 

and other areas in NE Qatar (MS). 

Notes: Not previously documented for Qatar. 

Photos: None. 

Cyperus laevigatus L. 

Juncellus laevigatus (L.) C.B. Baker 

Vernacular names: sa’ed 

دعس 

Growth form: Sedge. Fl. Mar–Apr. 


habitat & distribution: A species of marshy places, often in slightly saline habitats. Recorded by 

Batanouny at Abu Samrah in SW Qatar. 

uses: Fodder for camels (El Amin). 

Photos: Bat 124; Coll 280; Corn 231; Jong 19. 

Cyperus rotundus L. 

Vernacular names: sa’ed 

دعس 

Growth form: Sedge. Fl. Jan–Dec. 


habitat & distribution: Frequent in marshy areas, such as gardens and cultivated fields. Rarely 

seen in desert areas. 


HYDROCHARITACEAE 

Halophila ovalis (R. Br.) Hook. f. 

Growth form: Marine perennial herb. Fl. Not known. 

status: Native. Common. Not previously documented for Qatar. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi 

Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Intertidal areas around the coast; widespread (BB). 

Notes: See comments under Diplanthera spp. 

Photos: None. 

Halophila stipulacea (Forssk.) Asch. 

Growth form: Marine perennial herb. Fl. Apr. 

status: Native. Common. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Intertidal areas around the coast; widespread (BB). Collected from Al 

Khor shore by El Amin. 

Photos: El Amin 143 L ; Bat 109; Corn 226. 

JUNCACEAE 

Juncus rigidus Desf. 

Juncus arabicus (Asch. & Buchenau) Adamson; Juncus maritimus Lam. var. arabicus Asch. & Buchenau 

ةدنت ,اشر ,لصأ 

Vernacular names: asal, rasha, tanda 

Growth form: Rush. Fl. Nov-Dec. 


habitat & distribution: Frequent in muddy saltmarshes and other damp, saline areas. Occurs at 

Abu Samrah, Al Dhakhira, Jebel Fuwairit (MS) and also previously recorded from Wadi El Ireig. 

uses: Eaten by camels. Used to make mats. 

Photos: El Amin 26; Coll 444; Corn 231; Jong 27; Phil 162; Pick 262. 

LILIACEAE 

HyDROCHARITACEAE / JUNCACEAE / LILIACEAE 

Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. 

Asphodelus fistulosus L. var tenuifolius (Cav.) Baker 

Vernacular names: barwaq 

قورب 



habitat & distribution: Occasional to locally frequent in shallow, often somewhat compact, sand; 

particularly in sandy or gravelly depressions. 

uses: Phillips quotes Dickson (1955) reporting that the seeds of the plant were used by the Bedu 

of Kuwait to make a kind of dried milk. ‘Gathered for use as a potherb’ (Cornes & Cornes). The 

seeds have diuretic properties and are applied externally to ulcers and inflamed parts (Rizk & El- 

Ghazaly). 

notes: A. fistulosus L. is best treated as a separate species; it has been reported from Egypt and 

northern Saudi Arabia (Boulos). 

Photos: El Amin 26; Coll 78; Corn 228; Jong 31; Phil 124, 125; Pick 154; Shuaib 50; West 154. 

70 71

LILIACEAE / POACEAE 

Dipcadi erythraeum Webb & Berthel. Plates 93, 94 

Dipcadi serotinum (L.) Medik.; Dipcadi unicolor (Stocks) Baker 

Vernacular names: miSelmow, busalamo, anSel, bessail al maa, 

ءاملا ليسب ,لصنأ ,وملسوب ,ومليصم 

brown lily 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. Feb–Mar. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent in S and C Qatar, in sandy depressions and runnels. 

uses: The bulb is reputed to be edible, although Mandaville says it is bitter, whilst Jongbloed et al. 

state that the capsule is edible. Rizk & El-Ghazaly report that in Bahrain the leaves are used as a 

laxative and as an ointment for wounds. 

Photos: El Amin 27; Bat 109; Coll 431; Corn 35, 227; Jong 33; Mand 266; Phil 126; Shuaib 49; West 154. 

POACEAE 

Aeluropus lagopoides (L.) Trin. ex Thwaites Plate 99 

Vernacular names: ’ikrish 

شركع 

Growth form: Perennial grass. Fl. Mar–May. 


habitat & distribution: Frequent to abundant in saline habitats, including sabkha edge, saltmarsh 

and the edges of permanent wetland areas. Sometimes dominates large areas of saline flat. 

uses: El Amin states this species to be good fodder. 

Photos: El Amin 126 L ; Bat 110; Coll 342 L ; Corn 242; Jong 37; Phil 107; West 156. 

Aristida abnormis Chiov. 

Growth form: Annual grass. Fl. Apr. 

status: Native. Local. Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Probably occasional throughout Qatar on shallow soils. 

uses: Used for fodder (El Amin). 

Photos: Coll 344 L ; Jong 38. 

Aristida adscensionis L. 

Vernacular names: samaa, SafSaf 

فصفص ,امس 

Growth form: Annual or perennial grass. Fl. Apr. 

status: Native. Rare. First published record: Cope (2007). Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Details of the Cope record(s) not known, but a specimen of this species 

was collected by JN from a sandy depression in SW Qatar in 2007. 


Aristida mutabilis Trin. & Rupr. 

Aristida meccana Hochst. ex Trin. & Rupr. 



habitat & distribution: Previously recorded from stony and rocky ground in N Qatar. 

Photos: None. 

Arundo donax L. 

Vernacular names: giant reed, ghab, qalam 

Growth form: Perennial grass. Fl. Apr. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from Al Wabrah. 



Avena sterilis L. 

Vernacular names: shufan barri 


status: Native. Common. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Frequent in rodat and other irrigated places. 


72 73 

ملق ,باغ 

يرب نافوش 

notes: Cope lists subspp. sterilis and ludoviciana (Durieu) M. Gillet & Magne for Qatar; the latter 

is often treated as a separate species. 

Photos: El Amin 23; Coll 350 L . 

Brachypodium distachyum (L.) P. Beauv. 

Trachynia distachya (L.) Link 

Growth form: Annual grass. Fl. Feb–May. 

status: Native. ?Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny as occasional in deep alluvial soil in rodat. 


Bromus danthoniae Trin. 



habitat & distribution: Appears only to have been recorded by Batanouny (and possibly also by 

El Amin) from a single locality as Al Sadd, S of Doha. 

Photos: Coll 355 L . 

Bromus madritensis L. 

Anisantha madritensis (L.) Nevski; Bromus madritensis subsp. haussknechtii (Boiss.) H. Scholz; Bromus 

haussknechtii Boiss. 

Vernacular names: brome grass, zeil abu al-Hossein 

Growth form: Annual grass. Fl. Feb–May. 


نيسحلا وبأ ليذ 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from a stony area at Umm Slal Mohammed. 

Photos: Bat 110; Coll 356 L ; Jong 45. 

Bromus scoparius L. 

Growth form: Annual grass. Fl. Apr–May. 


POACEAE

POACEAE 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from a stony area with accumulated fine soil at 

Umm Slal Mohammed. 

notes: Batanouny ascribed his plant to var. psilostachys Halácsy (not formally recognised by Cope). 


Cenchrus ciliaris L. Plate 92 

Vernacular names: foxtail grass, sabaT 



habitat & distribution: Occasional to abundant or locally dominant in moderately compact sand 

or silt, especially in rocky areas and often around inhabited areas and farmland. 

uses: Described by Mandaville as ‘useful fodder grass’. 

Photos: Coll 360 L ; Jong 46; Mand 237; Phil 108; Pick 251; West 157. 

Cenchrus pennisetiformis Hoschst. & Steud. 



habitat & distribution: Recorded from cultivated rodat in C Qatar by Batanouny, but presumably 

also occurs in natural areas with sandy and silty soils. 


Cenchrus setigerus Vahl 

Growth form: Perennial grass. Fl. Not known. 

status: Native. ?Rare. Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: The habitat of this species is similar to other species of Cenchrus. 

notes: Tentatively listed for Qatar by Cope on the basis of the photograph included in Batanouny 

(Plate 111), mis-labelled as C. pennisetiformis. 

Photos: Bat 111; Jong 49. 

Centropodia forsskaolii (Vahl) Cope Plate 100 

Asthenatherum forsskaolii (Vahl) Nevski 

Vernacular names: qasba’a, hajeen 

Growth form: Perennial grass. Fl. Apr–May. 


habitat & distribution: Frequent to abundant in sandy runnels in SW Qatar. 

uses: Grazed by camels (Mandaville) and used for fodder (El Amin). 

Photos: El Amin 126 L ; Coll 361 L ; Jong 50; West 156. 

Chloris barbata Sw. 

Vernacular names: finger grass, khazamzam 


status: Introduced. Common. Also recorded: Bahrain, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Frequent in cultivated farms, gardens and other irrigated land. 

uses: Good fodder (El Amin). 

Photos: El Amin 23; Coll 362 L ; Phil 109; Pick 252. 

طبس 

نيجه ،ءابصق 

مزمزخ 

Chloris virgata Sw. 

Vernacular names: finger grass, khazamzam, sineim 

Growth form: Annual grass. Fl. Feb–Jul. 


74 75 

مينس ,مزمزخ 

habitat & distribution: Frequent in cultivated land and other irrigated areas, including gardens. 

Photos: Bat 112; Coll 363 L ; Jong 52; West 157. 

Chrysopogon gryllus (L.) Trin. 

Vernacular names: halta 

Growth form: Perennial grass. Fl. Apr–Jun. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent in wadis and runnels, often within rocky areas. 

Photos: None. 

Chrysopogon plumulosus Hochst. Plates 95, 101 

Vernacular names: halta, gharaz 


status: Native. Common. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia. 

اتله 

زارغ ,اتله 

habitat & distribution: Occasional to locally frequent in shallow sand in wadis and runnels; often 

within rocky areas. 

uses: Eaten by all animals (El Amin). 

notes: Recorded as C. aucheri (Boiss.) Stapf by Batanouny, but later apparently redetermined as C. 

plumulosus (see El Amin, p.128). C. aucheri could also occur in Qatar. 

Photos: Bat 123; Coll 363 L . 

Cutandia memphitica (Spreng.) Benth. Plate 96 

Vernacular names: Memphis grass 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy areas of S and W Qatar. 


Photos: Coll 165 L ; Jong 54; Mand 251; Phil 110; West 158. 

Cymbopogon commutatus (Steud.) Stapf 

Cymbopogon parkeri Stapf 

Vernacular names: incense grass, Sakhbar 



POACEAE 

ربخص 

habitat & distribution: Occasional to locally abundant in silty or sandy depressions and runnels; 

mainly N and C Qatar. Large tussocks of this lemon-scented species dominate silt pans in parts of 

Ras Laffan Industrial City where there is no grazing. 

uses: Grazed, particularly by sheep. The leaves have a strong lemon scent when crushed. Mandaville 

mentions that there is a history of medicinal use for this species in Arabia. Jongbloed et al. state that 

plants of the genus are cultivated for citronella oil for use as perfume and insect repellent. 

Photos: El Amin 126 L ; Bat 112, 113 L ; Coll 365 L ; Corn 238; Jong 55; Mand 235; West 158.

POACEAE 

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. 

Vernacular names: Bermuda grass, star grass, dog’s-tooth grass, theel/thayyil, 

najeel, najm 

Growth form: Perennial grass. Fl. Most of year. 

status: ?Native. Very common. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

مجن ,ليجن ,ليث 

habitat & distribution: The main constituent of lawns in urban areas; occasional in natural 

habitats. 

uses: Of economic importance due to its widespread use in making lawns. Medicinal uses worldwide 

are described by Rizk & El-Ghazaly. 

Photos: El Amin 23; Coll 366 L ; Corn 246; Jong 57; Phil 112; West 159. 

Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd. 

Vernacular names: najm 



habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent in rodat, irrigated lawns, date groves and other 

tree plantations. 

uses: El Amin notes that it ‘is used as fodder, but not of high value’. Various medicinal uses are 

reported. 

Photos: El Amin 24; Bat 114; Coll 367 L ; Corn 247; Jong 58; Mand 248; Phil 113; Pick 254; West 159. 

Dichanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf 



habitat & distribution: Previously recorded as common in irrigation channels and other damp 

areas in cultivated rodat, but seen only once by the present authors. 


Photos: Bat 115; Coll 369 L ; Corn 238; Jong 61. 

Dichanthium foveolatum (Delile) Roberty Plate 97 

Eremopogon foveolatus (Delile) Stapf 

Vernacular names: halta 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in compacted sandy and silty areas; often within rocky habitats. 


Photos: El Amin 132 L ; Bat 111; Coll 369 L ; Corn 140; Jong 62. 

Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. 

Vernacular names: finger grass, crab grass 

Growth form: Annual grass. Fl. May. 


habitat & distribution: Occasional in damp areas, including the edges of cultivated fields. 

uses: Grazed, and used for fodder. 


مجن 

اتله 

Echinochloa colona (L.) Link 

Vernacular names: jungle rice, millet rice, corn panic grass, moDeiD, Difra 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in irrigated lawns and gardens. 


Photos: El Amin 132 L ; Bat 115; Coll 372 L ; Corn 250; Jong 64; West 160. 

Eragrostis barrelieri Daveau 

Vernacular names: love-grass 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy soils. 

Photos: Bat 117; Coll 378 L ; Jong 66; Mand 250. 

Eragrostis cilianensis (All.) Vignolo ex Janch. 

Vernacular names: stink-grass, love-grass, tearab 


status: Native. Common. Also recorded: UAE. 

ةرفض ,ضيضم 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in sandy runnels, wadis and other sandy areas; also as a weed 

in irrigated gardens and rodat. 

uses: Probably a useful grazing species. 


Eragrostis ciliaris (L.) R. Br. 

Growth form: Annual grass. Fl. Feb–Mar. 

status: Native. ?Local. Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in fine soils in depressions, often under trees. 


Eragrostis pilosa (L.) P. Beauv. 



habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny from a depression at Al Magdah, growing under 

the shade of Ziziphus and Lycium bushes. 


Halopyrum mucronatum (L.) Stapf 



habitat & distribution: Dominates an area of beach sand at Abu Samrah. 

uses: Used for fodder (El Amin). Much grazed by livestock, including horses along the coast 

(Mandaville). 

Photos: Coll 385 L ; Jong 69; West 161. 

76 77 

POACEAE 

باريت

POACEAE 

Henrardia pubescens (Bertol.) C.E. Hubb. 



habitat & distribution: Occasional in rodat in C Qatar; also recorded at Doha. 

notes: Cope notes that much of the material originally named as this species was in fact Parapholis 

incurva (L.) C.E. Hubb. However, he thinks that Henrardia pubescens is also likely to be correctly 

reported for Qatar based on published descriptions. 

Photos: None. 

Hordeum murinum L. 

Hordeum glaucum Steud. 

Growth form: Annual grass. Fl. Mar–Apr. 

status: Native. Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Batanouny recorded this taxon from Umm Slal Mohammed growing in 

small depressions on calcareous ridges. It may also occur as a weed species in cultivated areas, as 

it does elsewhere in the Gulf. 

uses: Mandaville remarks that it is grazed by livestock when young, but is less palatable when 

maturing due to the hard, sharp awns. 

notes: The form in the Gulf is currently recognised as Hordeum murinum subsp. glaucum (Steud.) 

Tzvelev. 

Photos: Bat 120; Coll 386 L ; Phil 114. 

Hordeum vulgare L. 

Vernacular name: barley, sha’ir 


status: Introduced. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in cultivated fields. 

uses: An important crop and fodder plant. Rizk & El-Ghazaly describe the medicinal properties 

of this species. 

Photos: None. 

Hyparrhenia hirta (L.) Stapf 

Vernacular names: blue-stem grass 


status: Native. ?Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by El Amin from C and W Qatar, including Dukhan. 


Photos: Coll 387 L ; Corn 140; Jong 70; Mand 236; Phil 115. 

Lasiurus scindicus Henrard 

Lasiurus hirsutus (Vahl) Boiss., comb. illeg. 

Plates 98, 102 

Vernacular names: daHaH 

حاحد 


status: Native. Very common. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

ريعش 

habitat & distribution: Frequent to abundant in shallow sandy areas, including runnels; mainly 

in C and S Qatar. 

Photos: Bat 119; Coll 388 L ; Jong 73; Pick 255. 

Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth 

Diplachne fusca (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult. 

Growth form: Perennial grass. Fl. May–Nov. 

status: ?Introduced. Rare. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded by Batanouny in a regularly irrigated lawn of Ramada Hotel, 

Doha. The species may also potentially occur in other wet habitats. 

Photos: None. 

Lolium rigidum Gaudin 

Vernacular names: rye grass, simbil, rabi’ya 


status: ?Native. Local. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

78 79 

ةيعيبر ,لبمس 

habitat & distribution: Occasional in Doha gardens and lawns, and in damp cultivated fields. 

May be native in some areas, but widely naturalised. 

uses: Used for fodder (El Amin). Toxicity to sheep and cattle has been reported; ingestion of seedheads 

can cause neurological disorders and especially affects the bovine liver (Rizk & El-Ghazaly). 

Photos: El Amin 28, 132 L ; Coll 390 L ; Jong 74 L . 

Ochthochloa compressa (Forssk.) Hilu Plate 103 

Eleusine compressa (Forssk.) Asch. & Schweinf. ex C. Chr. 

ةرمح ,مينص 

Vernacular names: wire grass, Sineim, Hamrah 



habitat & distribution: Occasional to locally abundant in sandy depressions and runnels; mainly 

SW Qatar, including Al Karaanah. 


Photos: El Amin 132 L ; Bat 116; Coll 392 L ; Corn 241; Jong 76; West 160. 

Panicum turgidum Forssk. Plate 104 

مامثإ/مامث 

Vernacular names: thamam/ithmam 



POACEAE 

habitat & distribution: Abundant on sand sheets, sandy depressions and other sandy habitats. 

Especially common in S and SW Qatar, where it is a major component of the natural perennial 

vegetation. It probably avoids saline sand. 

uses: Described as good fodder by El Amin. Mandaville said it was reported that bedouin used this 

as food during famine. Jongbloed et al. note that it was used as a wound dressing. The species is a 

natural sand binder and could have potential for stabilising sand dunes. 

Photos: El Amin 24, 136 L ; Bat 118; Coll 396 L ; Corn 240; Jong 79; Mand 239; Phil 106, 116; West 161.

POACEAE 

Parapholis incurva (L.) C.E. Hubb. 

Vernacular names: curved hard-grass 

Growth form: Grass. Fl. Not known. 

status: Native. ?Rare. First published record: Cope (2007). Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E 

Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: The typical habitats include seashores; but also found in irrigated lawns 

and gardens. 

notes: Cope maps a record for this species over Doha. He notes that much of the material originally 

named as Henrardia pubescens (Bertol.) C.E. Hubb. is this species, though he does accept that 

Henrardia also ‘probably’ occurs. 

Photos: None. 

Paspalidium desertorum (A. Rich.) Stapf 



habitat & distribution: Recorded by El Amin from irrigated soils at a large farm. 


Pennisetum divisum (J.F. Gmel.) Henrard Plate 105 

Pennisetum dichotomum (Forssk.) Delile 

Vernacular names: bristle grass, theimoom 



habitat & distribution: Frequent to abundant on sand sheets, drifting sand and small dunes, 

especially in S Qatar. 

uses: Batanouny remarks that it is grazed, but not preferred by animals. The species has potential 

to be used as a sand dune fixer (El Amin). 

Photos: El Amin 25, 136 L ; Bat 119; Coll 398 L ; Corn 142; Jong 80; Phil 117; West 162. 

Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov. 


status: Native. Rare. First published record: Cope (2007). Also recorded: UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A plant of rocky areas. The map in Cope shows a locality marked on the 

west coast. 

Photos: Jong 81; Pick 256. 

Phalaris minor Retz. 

Vernacular names: small canary grass, sha’ir al-far 



habitat & distribution: A weed species of cultivated areas. 


Photos: El Amin 136 L ; Coll 402 L ; Jong 83. 

موميث 

رافلا ريعش 

Phalaris paradoxa L. 

Vernacular names: sha’ir al-far 


status: Introduced. Common. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded from gardens and cultivated rodat. 



Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. 

Phragmites communis Trin. 

Vernacular names: reed, qaSSab, ghab, booS 



80 81 

رافلا ريعش 

صوب ,باغ ,بصق 

habitat & distribution: Locally dominant as reedbed fringing waste water lagoons and other 

permanent wetlands, especially at Abu Nakhla and Abu Hamour lagoons; also at Ras Laffan, 

Mesaieed and Dukhan. 

uses: El Amin notes that it is used for fodder, and also for thatching and firewood. Rizk & El-Ghazaly 

list many medicinal uses, including in the treatment of leukaemia, cholera, arthritis, coughs, 

earaches, fevers, nausea and toothache. The rhizome is used for acute arthritis and jaundice. 

notes: All records for Qatar refer to subsp. australis, but subsp. altissimus (Benth.) D. Rivera & M.A. 

Carreras occurs in Saudi Arabia and UAE (Cope). 

Photos: El Amin 25; Bat 120; Coll 403 L ; Corn 245; Jong 84; Mand 243; Phil 118; West 162. 

Poa annua L. 

Vernacular names: annual meadow grass 

Growth form: Annual grass. Fl. Jan–Dec. 


habitat & distribution: Reported by Batanouny as a rare weed of lawns. 

Photos: Coll 403 L ; Jong 85 L . 

Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. Plate 106 

طقلا ليذ 

Vernacular names: rabbit-foot grass, annual beard-grass, dhail al quT 



habitat & distribution: Frequent to abundant in damp, sandy places; especially at the edges of 

irrigation channels and freshwater lagoons. Tolerant of low levels of salinity. 

Photos: El Amin 25; Bat 120; Coll 406 L ; Corn 248; Jong 86; West 163. 

Rostraria pumila (Desf.) Tzvelev 

Koeleria pumila (Desf.) Domin; Lophochloa pumila (Desf.) Bor 



POACEAE 

habitat & distribution: Sandy habitats; occasional in gardens; Dukhan township, 2007 (JN). 

uses: Mandaville and Jongbloed et al. note its value as a spring grazing grass. 

Photos: Coll 407 L ; Jong 88.

POACEAE 

Schismus arabicus Nees Plate 109 


status: Native. ?Very common. Also recorded: Bahrain, Kuwait, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Schismus species are frequent to abundant over Qatar in sandy soils. Cope 

describes the habitat of S. arabicus as ‘dry banks, wadi beds and sandy hollows’. 

uses: Widely known as an important grazing species across parts of Arabia, due to its abundance 

after rains. 

notes: Very closely related to S. barbatus; differences are given by Cope. Batanouny listed S. barbatus 

without mentioning S. arabicus, whilst El Amin listed as S. arabicus, with S. barbatus as a synonym. 

Both are confirmed for Qatar by Cope. 

Photos: Bat 120; Coll 408 L ; Corn 251. 

Schismus barbatus (L.) Thell. 


status: Native. ?Common. Also recorded: Bahrain, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Described as ‘sandy plains, often overlying limestone’ (Cope). 

notes: See comments under S. arabicus. 

Photos: Coll 409 L ; Corn 251; Jong 90; Mand 246. 

Setaria verticillata (L.) P. Beauv. 

Vernacular names: rough bristle-grass, luSeeq 


status: Introduced. Local. Also recorded: Bahrain, E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: A weed of cultivated land. 

Photos: El Amin 25; Coll 410 L ; Corn 249; Jong 91; Pick 258; West 163. 

Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv. 



habitat & distribution: A weed of damp areas in farms and gardens. 

uses: The plant is applied externally for bruises; various medicinal uses of the seed are reported 



Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. 

Vernacular names: Johnson grass 



habitat & distribution: Recorded from cultivated fields in C Qatar. 

uses: Used for fodder (El Amin). Cultivated as forage in many parts of the world (Mandaville). 


Sorghum x drummondii (Nees ex Steud.) Millsp. & Chase 

Vernacular names: Sudan grass 

Growth form: Annual or short-lived perennial grass. Fl. Not known. 

قيصل 

status: Native. First published record: Cope (2007). Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia. 

habitat & distribution: May occur in farm areas as an escape from cultivation. 

uses: Cultivated for fodder. 

notes: Derived from Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. and its wild ancestor S. arundinaceum (Desv.) 

Stapf. (Cope). 

Photos: None. 

Sphenopus divaricatus (Gouan) Rchb. 


status: Native. Rare. Also recorded: Bahrain, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Previously recorded by El Amin from saline, sandy soils in S Qatar. 

Photos: Coll 412 L ; Jong 94 L . 

Sporobolus ioclados (Nees ex Trin.) Nees Plate 107 

Sporobolus arabicus Boiss. 

Vernacular names: Sakham, rashad, nejma 



ةمجن ,دشار ,ماخص 

habitat & distribution: Dominant in moderately saline sandy and silty areas, including sabkha 

edge and other coastal habitats. 


Photos: El Amin 26, 141 L ; Bat 121; Coll 414 L ; Corn 242; Jong 95; Phil 119; West 164. 

Sporobolus spicatus (Vahl) Kunth 

Vernacular names: drop seed grass, Sakham 



habitat & distribution: Occasional to frequent in urban areas, particularly irrigated roadside 

plantations, lawns and gardens; tolerant of salinity. 

Photos: El Amin 136 L ; Coll 416 L ; Corn 251; Jong 96; Phil 120; West 164. 

Stipa capensis Thunb. Plates 98, 108 

Vernacular names: spear grass, feather grass, needle grass, Sama’a 



82 83 

POACEAE 

habitat & distribution: Frequent to abundant and often dominant after winter rains on compact, 

shallow sandy soils in rocky areas and hamada; also in shallow sandy depressions and runnels. 

uses: Batanouny remarks that it is grazed when young, but also that it can be injurious to animals, 

due to the sharp awns, when fruiting. Mandaville states that it is used as standing hay after fruits 

have fallen. 

Photos: El Amin 141 L ; Bat 122; Coll 417 L ; Corn 140; Jong 97; Mand 252; Phil 121. 

Stipagrostis ciliata (Desf.) De Winter 

Growth form: Perennial grass. Fl. Feb–Jul. 

status: Native. Rare. First published record: Cope (2007). Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. 

ماخص 

ةعمص

POACEAE / TyPHACEAE 

habitat & distribution: Seen only once recently, in W Qatar (S. Aspinall & JN, 2007), growing in 

compact, silty soil. 

Photos: Coll 418 L ; Jong 98; Mand 241. 

Stipagrostis obtusa (Delile) Nees 

Vernacular names: nuSi/naSi 



habitat & distribution: Frequent in gravel plains, gravelly depressions and other areas with 

compact soil. 



Stipagrostis plumosa (L.) Munro ex T. Anderson Plate 110 


يصن 



habitat & distribution: Frequent in sandy habitats; possibly more so in C and S Qatar. 

uses: Noted by several authors to be good fodder for livestock. Mandaville and Batanouny mention 

it being gathered in Saudi Arabia to supplement grazing, or sold as hay. 

Photos: El Amin 26; Bat 123; Coll 420 L ; Corn 237; Jong 99; Phil 122; West 165. 

Stipagrostis sokotrana (Vierh.) De Winter 


يصن 


status: Native. ?Local. First published record: Cope (2007). Endemic to the Arabian Peninsula. 

Also recorded: Bahrain, UAE. 

habitat & distribution: Recorded at Ras Laffan (JN, 2004), but the specimen requires confirmation. 

Locally common here on compact, silty soils; may therefore be more widespread in N Qatar. 

Photos: Corn 237; Phil 123. 

TYPHACEAE 

Typha domingensis (Pers.) Poir. ex Steud. 

Vernacular names: cat’s-tail, reedmace, bardi, booS, deeS 

سيد ,صوب ,يدرب 

Growth form: Perennial herb. Fl. May–Aug. 


habitat & distribution: Recorded from a small number of sites by Batanouny. It grows at Abu 

Nakhla wastewater ponds south of Doha (MAS) and is likely to be more frequent now, due to the 

increase in permanently wet areas associated with sewage treatment works and irrigation schemes. 

uses: Batanouny notes that this species is used for many purposes such as baskets, paper-making 

and cattle feed in other countries. Ghazanfar reports that the flowers are used as a coolant for burns. 

Photos: Bat 14; Coll 720; Corn 257; Jong 104; Pick 260; Shuaib 51; West 167. 

يصن 

References & Bibliography 

The list of references includes all those cited in the text and additional key publications relating to Qatar, other 

Gulf states or to the Arabian vegetation in general. 

Abbas, J.A. & El-Oqlah, A.A. (1992). Distribution and communities of halophytic plants in 

Bahrain. Journal of Arid Environments 22: 205–218. 

Abdel Bari E.M., Fahmy, G., Al Thani, N., Al Thani, R. & Abdel-Dayem, M. (2007). The Ghaf 

Tree, Prosopis cineraria in Qatar. Qatar University and National Council for Culture, Arts and 

Heritage, Doha. 

Abdel Bari, E.M. (1995). Ophioglossum polyphyllum A. Braun, A new record for Qatar. Qatar 

University Science Journal 15(2): 369–372. 

Abdel Bari, E.M. (1997). Additions to the flora of Qatar. Qatar University Science Journal 17(2): 

303–312. 

Abdul Majid, S. (2008). Vegetation mapping and anthropogenic effects in Al-Reem Biosphere 

Reserve in Qatar. MSc thesis, University College London. 

Abulfatih, H.A., Abdel Bari, E.M., Alsubaey, A. & Ibrahim, Y.M. (2001). Vegetation of Qatar. 

Scientific and Applied Research Center (SARC), University of Qatar. 

Al-Madheed, M.A. (2004). Guide to the wild plants in the State of Qatar. [in Arabic] 

Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (2003). An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group 

classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG II. Botanical Journal of the 

Linnean Society 141: 399–436. 

Anon (undated). Wild flora of Ras Laffan Industrial City. Information booklet published by 

Environment Section, Ras Laffan Industrial City. 

Anon (undated). Mangrove Conservation Programme. Information booklet published by 

Environment Section, Ras Laffan Industrial City. 

Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (comp. El Amin, H.M.) (1983). Wild plants of 

Qatar. Published by AOAD, Khartoum (printed Richmond, UK). 

Babikir, A.A.A. (1984). Vegetation and environment on the coastal sand dunes and playas of 

Khor El-Odaid area, Qatar. Geo-Journal 9: 377–385. 

Babikir, A.A.A. (1986). The vegetation of natural depressions in Qatar in relation to climate and 

soil. Journal of Arid Environments 10: 165–173. 

Barth, H-J & Böer, B. (eds), (2002). Sabkha ecosystems, Volume I: The Arabian Peninsula and adjacent 

countries, Tasks for Vegetation Science 36. Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands. 

Batanouny, K.H. (1981). Ecology and Flora of Qatar. Alden Press, Oxford. 

Batanouny, K.H. (2001). Plants in the deserts of the Middle East. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. 

Batanouny, K.H. & Turki, A.A. (1983). Vegetation of South Western Qatar. Arab Gulf J. Scient. Res. 

1: 5–19. 

Beier, B.-A., Chase, M.W. & Thulin, M. (2003). Phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of 

subfamily Zygophylloideae (Zygophyllaceae) based on molecular and morphological data Plant 

Syst. Evol. 240: 11–39. 

Böer, B. (1999). Ecosystems, anthropogenic impacts and habitat management techniques in Abu 

Dhabi. Paderborner Geographische Studien 12 (University of Paderborn, Germany). 

84 85

Böer, B.B. & Norton, J.A. (1996a). Changes in the vegetation of the NARC Sweihan enclosure 

between 1993 and 1995. Internal Research Report, National Avian Research Centre, Abu Dhabi. 

Böer, B.B. & Norton, J.A. (1996b). Vegetation rehabilitation in an enclosure in Abu Dhabi. 

Fresenius Envir. Bull. 5: 79–84. 

Böer, B. & Al Hajiri, S. (2002). The coastal and sabkha flora of Qatar: An introduction. In: Barth, 

H-J & Böer, B. (eds), Sabkha ecosystems, Volume I: The Arabian Peninsula and adjacent countries, Tasks 

for Vegetation Science 36, pp. 63–70. Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands. 

Boulos, L. (1999–2005). Flora of Egypt, Vols 1–4. Al Hadara Publishing, Cairo. 

Boulos, L. & Al-Dosari, M. (1994). Checklist of the flora of Kuwait. Journal of the University of 

Kuwait (Science) 21: 203–281. 

Chaudhary, S.A. (1989). Grasses of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh. 

Chaudhary, S.A. (1999). Vegetation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry Of Agriculture, KSA. 

Collenette, S. (1985). An illustrated guide to the flowers of Saudi Arabia. Meteorological and 

Environmental Protection Administration Publication No. 1. Scorpion Publishing, London. 

Collenette, S. (1999). Wildflowers of Saudi Arabia. National Commission for Wildlife Conservation 

and Development & Sheila Collenette, Riyadh. 

Cope, T.A. (2007). Flora of the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra. Volume 5, Part 1. Edinburgh University 

Press. 

Cornes, M.D. & Cornes, C.D. (1989). The wild flowering plants of Bahrain; an illustrated guide. 

IMMEL Publishing, London. 

Daoud, H.S. & Al-Rawi, A. (1985). Flora of Kuwait. Volume 1: Dicotyledoneae. KPI Limited, London 

& University of Kuwait. 

Dickson (1938) and others, etc. take refs from Mand. and mention in text. 

Dickson, H. (1951). To add. Referenced under Halocnemum strobilaceum. 

Dickson, V. (1955). The wild flowers of Kuwait and Bahrain. George Allen & Unwin, London. 

El Amin, H.M. (Arab Organization for Agricultural Development) (1983). Wild plants of Qatar. 

Published by AOAD, Khartoum (printed Richmond, UK). 

Ghazanfar, S.A. (1992). An annotated catalogue of the vascular plants of Oman and their vernacular 

names. Scripta Botanica Belgica 2, National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Meise, Belgium. 

Ghazanfar, S.A. (1994). Handbook of Arabian medicinal plants. Springer, New York. 

Ghazanfar, S.A. (2003). Flora of Oman, Volume 1, Piperaceae–Primulacaea. Scripta Botanica Belgica 

25. National National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Meise, Belgium. 

Ghazanfar, S.A. & Fisher, M., Eds (1998). Vegetation of the Arabian Peninsula. Geobotany 25. Kluwer 

Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. 

Gillespie, F. (2006). Discovering Qatar. Creative Writing and Photography, Rimons, France. 

Jongbloed, M., Western, A.R. & Böer, B. (2000). Annotated check-list for plants in the U.A.E. Zodiac 

Publishing, Dubai, UAE. 

Jongbloed, M.V.D., Feulner, G.R., Böer, B. & Western, A.R. (2003). The comprehensive guide to the 

wildflowers of the United Arab Emirates. Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency, 

Abu Dhabi. 

Mandaville, J.P. (1990). Flora of Eastern Saudi Arabia. Kegan Paul International and NCWCD. 

Migahid, A.M. (1998). Flora of Saudi Arabia. Vols 1 & 2. Third Edition. University Libraries, King 

Saud University, Riyadh. 

Miller, A.G. & Cope, T.A. (1996). Flora of the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra. Volume 1. Edinburgh 

University Press. 

Obeid, M. (1975). Qatar – study of the natural vegetation. FAO AGO QAT/74/003. 

Phillips, D.C. (1988). Wild flowers of Bahrain. A field guide to herbs, shrubs and trees. Privately 

published, Bahrain. 

Pickering, H. & Patzelt, A. (2008). Field guide to the wild plants of Oman. Kew Publishing, 

Richmond, Surrey. 

Rizk, A.M. & El-Ghazaly, G.A. (1995). Medicinal and poisonous plants of Qatar, Scientific and 

Applied Research Centre, University of Qatar. 

Shuaib, L. (1995). Wild flowers of Kuwait. Stacey International, London. 

Tayab, M.R. (2002). Assessment of the distribution and abundance of flora and fauna along the 

coastal areas of Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar. Qatar Petroleum Report. 

Western, A.R. (1989). The flora of the United Arab Emirates: an introduction. United Arab Emirates 

University. 

Zohary, M. (1973). Geobotanical foundations of the Middle East. Fischer Verlag. 

86 87

Internet Resources 

Aluka 

http://www.aluka.org 

‘Digital library of scholarly resources from and about Africa’. Resources for plants are extensive and 

include photographs of specimens from historical collections. 

ePIC (electronic Plant Information Centre) (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK) 

http://epic.kew.org/ 

Provides a convenient way to search IPNI and various resources at Kew, including bibliographies, 

herbarium collections and seed database. 

Euro+Med PlantBase 

http://ww2.bgbm.org/EuroPlusMed/query.asp 

An on-line database and information system for the vascular plants of Europe and the Mediterranean 

region. At the time of going to press it covered three of the largest families: Asteraceae, Poaceae 

and Rosaceae, and 29 smaller families. 

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) 

http://data.gbif.org/welcome.htm 

Provides mapped world distributions for species, based on herbarium records, though these do not 

include any collections from the Arabian Peninsula. 

Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW) 

http://www.hear.org/gcw/ 

Useful information on status and world distribution of weed species. 

Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) 

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/index.pl?language=en 

Useful general information on taxonomy and world distribution of plants. Covers species occurring 

in the USA, but includes many species naturalised in Qatar. 

International Plant Names Index (IPNI) 

http://www.ipni.org/index.html 

Provides information on plant names and bibliographic details. A collaboration between The Royal 

Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Harvard University Herbaria, and the Australian National Herbarium. 

USDA Plants Database 

http://plants.usda.gov/index.html 

A searchable database of information about the vascular plants and lower plants of the USA and 

its territories. 

Wikipedia 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki 

Useful for general information on taxonomy, distribution and uses of many species. 

Index to Families and Species 

The alphabetical index covers scientific names of families and species listed in the main accounts and those 

referred to in the introductory pages, together with additional species mentioned under Notes. Synonyms are 

shown in italics and plate numbers in bold. 

Aaronsohnia factorovskyi 6, 13 

Abutilon fruticosum 52 

Abutilon hirtum 52 

Abutilon pannosum 52 

Acacia arabica 38 

Acacia ehrenbergiana 38, 58 

Acacia flava 38 

Acacia nilotica 38 

Acacia raddiana 39 

Acacia spirocarpa 39 

Acacia tortilis 39, 59 

Acacia viii 

ACANTHACEAE 1 

Aeluropus lagopoides ix, 72, 99 

Aerva javanica 3 

Aerva persica 3 

Aerva tomentosa 3 

Agathophora alopecuroides 26 

Agathophora iraqensis 26 

Agriophyllum minus viii, 26, 43 

Agriophyllum montasiri 26 

AIZOACEAE 2 

Aizoon canariense 2, 6 

Aizoon hispanicum 2 

Alhagi camelorum 39 

Alhagi graecorum 39 

Alhagi maurorum 39 

Althaea ludwigii viii, 52 

AMARANTHACEAE 3 

Amaranthus chlorostachys 3 

Amaranthus gracilis 4 

Amaranthus graecizans 3 

Amaranthus hybridus 3 

Amaranthus viridis 3 

Ammi majus 4 

Anabasis setifera 26, 40 

Anagallis arvensis 54 

Anastatica hierochuntica 17, 28, 29 

Anchusa hispida 15, 24 

Andrachne telephioides viii, 35, 56 

Anethum graveolens 4 

ANGIOSPERMAE 1 

Anisantha madritensis 73 

Antirrhinum orontium 62 

APIACEAE 4 

APOCyNACEAE 5 

ARECACEAE 69 

Argyrolobium abyssinicum 39 

Argyrolobium arabicum 39 

Aristida abnormis 72 

Aristida adscensionis 72 

Aristida meccana 72 

Aristida mutabilis 72 

Arnebia decumbens 15 

Arnebia hispidissima 15, 22 

Artemisia herba-alba 6 

Artemisia inculta 6 

Artemisia sieberi 6 

Arthrocnemum glaucum 26 

Arthrocnemum macrostachyum ix, 26 

Arundo donax 73 

ASCLEPIADACEAE 5 

Asphodelus fistulosus 71 

Asphodelus tenuifolius 71 

Aster squamatus 14 

ASTERACEAE 6 

Asteriscus hierichunticus 11 

Asteriscus pygmaeus 11 

Asthenatherum forsskaolii 74 

Astragalus annularis 39, 60 

Astragalus corrugatus 40 

Astragalus eremophilus viii, 40, 61 

Astragalus gyzensis 40 

Astragalus hamosus 40 

Astragalus hauarensis 40 

Astragalus schimperi 40 

Astragalus sieberi 41 

Astragalus tenuirugis 40 

Astragalus tribuloides 41 

Astragalus zubairensis 41 

Atractylis carduus 6, 14 

Atractylis flava 6 

88 89

Atriplex leucoclada 26, 41 

Avena sterilis 73 

Avicennia marina ix, 1, 4 

Avicennia officinalis 1 

Bassia eriophora 27 

Bassia muricata 27 

Beta vulgaris 27 

Bienertia cycloptera 27 

Blepharis ciliaris 2, 2 

Blepharis edulis 2 

Bolboschoenus maritimus 69 

BORAGINACEAE 15 

Brachypodium distachyum 73 

Brassica rapa 17 

Brassica tournefortii 17 

BRASSICACEAE 17 

Bromus danthoniae 73 

Bromus haussknechtii 73 

Bromus madritensis 73 

Bromus scoparius 73 

Bupleurum semicompositum 4 

Calendula arvensis 7 

Calendula tripterocarpa 7 

Calligonum comosum 57 

Calligonum polygonoides 57 

Calotropis procera 5, 8 

CAPPARACEAE x, 21 

Capparis spinosa 21 

Carduncellus eriocephalus 7 

Carrichtera annua 18 

Carthamnus eriocephalus 7 

CARyOPHyLLACEAE x, 22 

Cassia italica 46 

Cassia obovata 46 

Cassia occidentalis 47 

Cassia senna 46 

Casuarina cunninghamiana 25 

Casuarina equisetifolia 25 

CASUARINACEAE 25 

Cenchrus ciliaris 74, 92 

Cenchrus pennisetiformis 74 

Cenchrus setigerus 74 

Centaurea pseudosinaica 7 

Centaurea sinaica 7, 15 

Centaurium pulchellum 49 

Centropodia forsskaolii 74, 100 

Chamaesyce arabica 35 

Chamaesyce granulata 35 

Chamaesyce hirta 36 

Chamaesyce prostrata 36 

Chamaesyce serpens 36 

CHENOPODIACEAE 26 

Chenopodium aegyptiacum 31 

Chenopodium album 28 

Chenopodium murale 28 

Chloris barbata 74 

Chloris virgata 75 

Chrozophora obliqua 36 

Chrozophora oblongifolia 36 

Chrozophora tinctoria 36 

Chrozophora verbascifolia 36 

Chrysanthemum coronarium 8 

Chrysopogon gryllus 75 

Chrysopogon plumulosus 75, 95, 101 

Cichorium pumilum 7 

CISTACEAE 31 

Cistanche lutea 54 

Cistanche phelypaea 54 

Cistanche tinctoria 54 

Cistanche tubulosa 54, 76 

Citrullus colocynthis 34, 54 

CLEOMACEAE x 

Cleome africana 21 

Cleome amblyocarpa 21 

Cleome brachycarpa 21 

Cleome dolichostyla 22 

Cleome noeana 22 

Cleome scaposa 22 

Cocculus pendulus 53, 74 

COMBRETACEAE 32 

COMPOSITAE x 

Conocarpus lancifolius 32 

CONVOLVULACEAE 32 

Convolvulus arvensis 32 

Convolvulus buschiricus 32 

Convolvulus cephalopodus 32, 52 

Convolvulus deserti 33 

Convolvulus fatmensis 32 

Convolvulus glomeratus 33 

Convolvulus microphyllus 33 

Convolvulus pilosellifolius 33, 53 

Convolvulus prostratus 33 

Conyza bonariensis 8 

Conyza dioscoridis 11 

Conyza maritima 14 

Corchorus depressus viii, 64, 85 

Corchorus olitorius 65 

Corchorus trilocularis 65 

Cornulaca aucheri 28 

Cornulaca monacantha 28 

Cornulaca viii 

Coronopus didymus 19 

Cressa cretica 33 

CRUCIFERAE x 

Cryophytum nodiflorum 2 

Cucumis colocynthis 34 

Cucumis prophetarum 34 

CUCURBITACEAE 34 

Cullen plicata 41 

Cuscuta chinensis 33 

Cuscuta pedicellata 34 

Cuscuta pentagona 34 

Cutandia memphitica 75, 96 

Cymbopogon commutatus viii, 75 

Cymbopogon parkeri 75 

CyMODOCEACEAE 69 

Cynodon dactylon 76 

CyNOMORIACEAE 35 

Cynomorium coccineum 35, 55 

CyPERACEAE 69 

Cyperus aucheri 70 

Cyperus conglomeratus viii, 70, 70, 91 

Cyperus jeminicus 70 

Cyperus laevigatus 70 

Cyperus rotundus 70 

Dactyloctenium aegyptium 76 

Datura innoxia 63 

Dichanthium annulatum 76 

Dichanthium foveolatum 76, 97 

DICOTYLEDONEAE 1 

Digitaria sanguinalis 76 

Dipcadi erythraeum viii, 72, 93, 94 

Dipcadi serotinum 72 

Dipcadi unicolor 72 

Diplachne fusca 79 

Diplanthera uninervis 69 

Diplanthera wrightii 69 

Dipterygium glaucum 22, 33 

Dodonaea angustifolia 62 

Dodonaea viscosa 62 

Echinochloa colona 77 

Echiochilon jugatum 15, 23 

Echiochilon kotschyi 15 

Echium horridum 16 

Eclipta alba 7 

Eclipta prostrata 7 

Eleusine compressa 79 

Emex spinosa 58, 78 

Enicostema axillare 49 

Enicostema verticillatum 49 

Ephedra ciliata 1 

Ephedra foliata x, 1 

Ephedra peduncularis 1 

EPHEDRACEAE 1 

Eragrostis barrelieri 77 

Eragrostis cilianensis 77 

Eragrostis ciliaris 77 

Eragrostis pilosa 77 

Eremobium aegyptiacum 18, 30 

Eremobium lineare 18 

Eremopogon foveolatus 76 

Erigeron bonariensis 8 

Erodium bryoniifolium 50 

Erodium glaucophyllum ix, 49, 68 

Erodium laciniatum 50, 69 

Erodium oxyrrhynchum 50 

Erodium pulverulentum 50 

Eruca sativa 18 

Eruca vesicaria 18 

Erucaria crassifolia 18 

Erucaria hispanica 18 

Erucaria lineariloba 18 

Erythraea pulchella 49 

Euphorbia arabica 35 

Euphorbia cornuta 37 

Euphorbia dracunculoides 37 

Euphorbia geniculata 37 

Euphorbia granulata 35 

Euphorbia heterophylla 37 

Euphorbia hirta 36 

Euphorbia peplus 37 

Euphorbia prostrata 36 

Euphorbia retusa 37, 57 

Euphorbia serpens 36 

90 91

EUPHORBIACEAE 35 

FABACEAE 38 

Fagonia bruguieri 66 

Fagonia glutinosa 67 

Fagonia indica 66, 81 

Fagonia ovalifolia 67, 86 

Fagonia tenuifolia 67 

Farsetia arabica 19 

Farsetia hamiltonii 19 

Farsetia heliophila 19, 31 

Farsetia linearis 19 

Ficus carica 53 

Filago desertorum 8, 12 

Filago prolifera 8 

Filago spathulata 8 

Flaveria trinervia 8 

Foeniculum vulgare 4 

Forsskaolea tenacissima 65 

Forsskaolea viridis 65 

Francoeuria crispa 12 

Frankenia pulverulenta 49, 71 

FRANKENIACEAE 49 

Galium tricornutum 61 

Gastrocotyle hispida 15 

GENTIANACEAE 49 

GERANIACEAE 49 

Geranium molle 50 

Glebionis coronaria 8 

Glossonema edule 5 

Glossonema varians 5, 9, 10 

Gnaphalium luteo-album 9 

Gymnarrhena micrantha 8, 17 

GYMNOSPERMAE 1 

Halocnemum strobilaceum 28 

Halodule uninervis 69 

Halogeton alopecuroides 26 

Halopeplis perfoliata 29, 42 

Halophila ovalis 71 

Halophila stipulacea 71 

Halopyrum mucronatum 77 

Haloxylon ammodendron 29 

Haloxylon persicum 29 

Haloxylon salicornicum viii, 29, 44 

Hammada elegans 29 

Hammada salicornica 29 

Haplophyllum tuberculatum 61 

Helianthemum kahiricum ix, 31, 50 

Helianthemum lippii ix, 32, 51 

Heliotropium bacciferum 16, 25 

Heliotropium crispum 16 

Heliotropium kotschyi 16 

Heliotropium ramosissimum 16 

Heliotropium zeylanicum 16 

Henrardia pubescens 78 

Herniaria hemistemon 22, 34 

Herniaria hirsuta 22 

Hippocrepis areolata 41 

Hippocrepis bicontorta 41 

Hippocrepis constricta 41 

Hippocrepis multisiliquosa 42 

Hippocrepis unisiliquosa 42 

Hordeum glaucum 78 

Hordeum murinum 78 

Hordeum vulgare 78 

HyDROCHARITACEAE 71 

Hymenocarpos circinnatus 42 

Hyparrhenia hirta 78 

Ifloga spicata 9, 18 

Indigofera articulata 42 

Indigofera intricata 42, 62 

Indigofera oblongifolia 42 

JUNCACEAE 71 

Juncellus laevigatus 70 

Juncus arabicus 71 

Juncus maritimus 71 

Juncus rigidus 71 

Koeleria pumila 81 

Koelpinia linearis 9, 19 

LABIATAE x 

LAMIACEAE 50 

Laphangium luteoalbum 9 

Lappula spinocarpos 16 

Lasiurus hirsutus 78 

Lasiurus scindicus 78, 98, 102 

Lathyrus inconspicuus 42 

Launaea capitata 9 

Launaea cassiniana 10 

Launaea fallax 10 

Launaea glomerata 9 

Launaea goraeensis 9 

Launaea mucronata 10 

Launaea nudicaulis 10 

Launaea procumbens 10 

Lawsonia alba 51 

Lawsonia inermis 51 

LEGUMINOSAE x 

Lepidium aucheri 19 

Lepidium didymum 19 

Lepidium sativum 19 

Leptadenia pyrotechnica 6, 11 

Leptochloa fusca 79 

LILIACEAE 71 

Limonium axillare ix, 57, 79 

Limonium carnosum 57 

LINACEAE 51 

Linum strictum 51 

Lippia nodiflora 66 

Lithospermum callosum 16 

Lithospermum kotschyi 15 

Lolium rigidum 79 

Lophochloa pumila 81 

LORANTHACEAE 51 

Loranthus acaciae 51 

Lotononis dichotoma 43 

Lotononis platycarpa 43 

Lotus garcinii 43 

Lotus glinoides 43 

Lotus halophilus 43, 63 

Lotus platycarpa 43 

Lotus pusillus 43 

Lotus schimperi 43 

Lotus villosus 43 

Lycium shawii viii, ix, 63, 84 

LyTHRACEAE 51 

Malva nicaeensis 52 

Malva parviflora 52 

MALVACEAE 52 

Matricaria aurea 10 

Matricaria auriculata 14 

Matricaria chamomilla 10 

Matricaria recutita 10 

Matthiola longipetala 19 

Medicago aschersoniana 43 

Medicago laciniata 43 

Medicago polymorpha 44 

Medicago sativa 44 

Melilotus albus 44 

Melilotus indicus 44 

MENISPERMACEAE 53 

Mercurialis annua 37 

Mesembryanthemum 

cryptanthum 2, 5 

Mesembryanthemum forskahlii 2 

Mesembryanthemum 

nodiflorum 2, 7 

Misopates orontium 62 

MOLLUGINACEAE 53 

Mollugo cerviana 53 

Moltkiopsis ciliata 16, 27 

MONOCOTYLEDONEAE 69 

Monsonia heliotropioides 50 

Monsonia nivea 50, 72 

MORACEAE 53 

Morus nigra 53 

MyRSINACEAE 54 

Nerium mascatense 5 

Nerium oleander 5 

Neurada procumbens 54, 75 

NEURADACEAE 54 

Ochradenus aucheri 59 

Ochradenus baccatus 59 

Ochradenus dewittii 59 

Ochthochloa compressa 79, 103 

Odontospermum pygmaeum 11 

Ogastemma pusillum 17, 26 

Oligomeris linifolia 60 

Oligomeris subulata 60 

Ononis reclinata 45 

Ononis sicula 45 

OPHIOGLOSSACEAE 1 

Ophioglossum polyphyllum x, 1, 3 

Opophytum forskahlii 2 

OROBANCHACEAE 54 

Orobanche ramosa 55 

OxALIDACEAE 55 

Oxalis cernua 55 

Oxalis corniculata 55 

Oxalis corymbosa 55 

Oxalis debilis 55 

Oxalis pes-caprae 55 

Pallenis hierichuntica 11 

Panicum turgidum viii, 79, 104 

Parapholis incurva 80 

Parietaria alsinifolia 66 

92 93

Parkinsonia aculeata 45 

Paronychia arabica 23, 35 

Paspalidium desertorum 80 

Pennisetum dichotomum 80 

Pennisetum divisum 80, 105 

Pennisetum setaceum 80 

Pentanema divaricatum 11 

Phalaris minor 80 

Phalaris paradoxa 81 

Phoenix dactylifera 69, 90 

Phragmites australis ix, 81 

Phragmites communis 81 

Phyla nodiflora 66 

Phyllanthus amarus 38 

Phyllanthus niruri 38 

Physalis angulata 63 

Picris aspleniodes 11 

Picris cyanocarpa 11 

Picris radicata 11 

PLANTAGINACEAE 55 

Plantago amplexicaulis 55 

Plantago ciliata 56, 77 

Plantago commutate 56 

Plantago coronopus 56 

Plantago lanceolata 56 

Plantago ovata 56 

Plantago psyllium 57 

Plicosepalus acaciae 51 

Pluchea dioscoridis 11 

PLUMBAGINACEAE 57 

Poa annua 81 

POACEAE 72 

Polycarpaea repens ix, 23, 36 

Polycarpaea robbairea 23 

Polycarpaea spicata 23 

Polycarpon tetraphyllum 23 

Polygala erioptera 57 

Polygala irregularis 57 

POLyGALACEAE 57 

POLyGONACEAE 57 

Polygonum argyrocoleum 58 

Polygonum bellardii 58 

Polygonum equisetiformis 58 

Polypogon monspeliensis ix, 81, 106 

Portulaca oleracea 59 

PORTULACACEAE 59 

Prosopis cineraria vi, 45, 64 

Prosopis juliflora vi, viii, 45, 65 

Psoralea plicata 41 

PTERIDOPHYTA 1 

Pulicaria crispa 12 

Pulicaria gnaphalodes 12 

Pulicaria sicula 12 

Pulicaria undulata viii, 12, 16 

Pulicaria undulata 12 

Raphanus sativus 19 

Reichardia orientalis 12 

Reichardia tingitana 12, 20 

Reseda arabica 60 

Reseda aucheri 60 

Reseda muricata 60 

Reseda subulata 60 

RESEDACEAE 59 

RHAMNACEAE 60 

Rhanterium epapposum 12, 21 

Rhynchosia minima 46 

Ricinus communis 38 

Robbairea delileana 23 

Rostraria pumila 81 

RUBIACEAE 61 

Rumex cyprius 58 

Rumex dentatus 58 

Rumex spinosus 58 

Rumex vesicarius 59, 82 

RUTACEAE 61 

Salicornia europaea 29, 45 

Salicornia herbacea 29 

Salicornia maritima 29 

Salsola alopecuroides 26 

Salsola baryosma 30 

Salsola cyclophylla 30 

Salsola drummondii 30 

Salsola foetida 30 

Salsola imbricata 30, 46 

Salsola mandavillei 30 

Salsola schweinfurthii 30 

Salsola soda 29 

Salsola vermiculata 30 

Salsola villosa 30 

Salsola ix, 46 

Salvadora persica 61 

SALVADORACEAE 61 

Salvia aegyptiaca 50, 70 

SAPINDACEAE 62 

Savignya parviflora 20, 32 

Schanginia aegyptiaca 31 

Schanginia baccata 31 

Schimpera arabica 20 

Schimpera persica 20 

Schismus arabicus 82, 109 

Schismus barbatus 82 

Scirpus maritimus 69 

Sclerocephalus arabicus ix, 24, 38 

Scorpiurus muricatus 46 

Scrophularia deserti 62, 80 

SCROPHULARIACEAE 62 

Seetzenia lanata 67, 87 

Seetzenia orientalis 67 

Seidlitzia rosmarinus viii, 31, 47 

Senecio coronopifolius 13 

Senecio desfontainei 13 

Senecio glaucus 13 

Senecio vulgaris 13 

Senna alexandrina 46 

Senna italica 46, 66 

Senna occidentalis 47 

Sesbania aegyptiaca 47 

Sesbania sesban 47 

Setaria verticillata 82 

Setaria viridis 82 

Silene arabica 24 

Silene conica 24 

Silene villosa 24, 39 

Sinapis arvensis 20 

Sisymbrium erysimoides 20 

Sisymbrium irio 20 

Sisymbrium orientale 20 

SOLANACEAE 63 

Solanum elaeagnifolium 63 

Solanum nigrum 63 

Solanum villosum 63 

Sonchus asper 13 

Sonchus cassinianus 10 

Sonchus maritimus 13 

Sonchus oleraceus 14 

Sonchus tenerrimus 14 

Sorghum arundinaceum 83 

Sorghum bicolor 83 

Sorghum halepense 82 

Sorghum x drummondii 83 

Spergula fallax 24, 37 

Spergularia bocconei 24 

Spergularia diandra 25 

Sphenopus divaricatus 83 

Sporobolus arabicus 83 

Sporobolus ioclados 83, 107 

Sporobolus spicatus 83 

Stachytarphaeta angustifolia 66 

Statice axillaris 57 

Stellaria media 25 

Stellaria pallida 25 

Stipa capensis ix, 83, 98, 108 

Stipagrostis ciliata 83 

Stipagrostis obtusa 84 

Stipagrostis plumosa 84, 110 

Stipagrostis sokotrana 84 

Stipagrostis ix 

Suaeda aegyptiaca 31, 48 

Suaeda fruticosa 31 

Suaeda vermiculata 31, 49 

Symphyotrichum squamatum 14 

TAMARICACEAE 64 

Tamarix aphylla 64 

Tamarix aucheriana 64 

Tamarix passerinoides 64 

Tamarix ramosissima 64 

Tamarix ix 

Taverniera aegyptiaca 47 

Taverniera aegyptiaca 47 

Taverniera spartea 47 

Tetraena qatarensis viii, ix, 67, 88 

Tetraena simplex 68, 89 

Teucrium polium 51, 73 

TILIACEAE 64 

Torilis nodosa 5 

Trachynia distachya 73 

Traganum nudatum 31 

Trianthema pentandra 3 

Tribulus arabicus 68 

Tribulus cistoides 68 

Tribulus pterophorus 68 

Tribulus terrestris 68 

Trifolium resupinatum 48 

Trigonella anguina 48 

94 95

Trigonella glabra 48 

Trigonella hamosa 48 

Trigonella monantha 48 

Trigonella stellata 48, 67 

Tripleurospermum auriculatum 14 

Typha domingensis 84 

TyPHACEAE 84 

UMBELLIFERAE x 

Urospermum picroides 14 

Urtica urens 66 

URTICACEAE 65 

Vaccaria hispanica 25 

Vaccaria pyramidata 25 

VERBENACEAE 66 

96 

Veronica cymbalaria 63 

Vicia monantha 49 

Vicoa pentanema 11 

xanthium spinosum 14 

Zaleya pentandra 3 

Zilla spinosa 21 

Ziziphus mauritiana 60 

Ziziphus nummularia viii, 61, 83 

Ziziphus spina-christi 61 

ZyGOPHyLLACEAE 66 

Zygophyllum coccineum 68 

Zygophyllum mandavillei 68 

Zygophyllum qatarense 67 

Zygophyllum simplex 68

About this Book 

The State of Qatar, situated in the Arabian Gulf, covers over 11,000 km 2 of land surface and has more 

than 600 km of coastline. It supports a wide variety of natural habitats including limestone desert, rocky 

escarpments, coastal saltmarshes, natural depressions filled with fertile sand and silt, gravel plains and sand 

dunes. Together with various man-made habitats these support a surprisingly rich and varied plant life. This 

checklist provides details of nearly 400 species of vascular plants that have been recorded in Qatar, including 

at least 270 that are native and about 125 that are introduced. English and Arabic vernacular names are given 

where known, together with summary information on rarity status in Qatar, growth form, flowering period, 

habitat, distribution and uses. 

The checklist provides an up-to-date scientific reference for ecologists and others carrying out research on 

Qatar’s habitats and vegetation. Two of the authors are local Qataris, who have studied the flora as part of their 

academic careers. The checklist updates information published more than 25 years ago by previous botanists 

working in the country, notably Professor Batanouny who published his Ecology and Flora of Qatar in 1981. The 

checklist will also be useful to local people and visitors interested in the flora of Qatar. 

In recent years many of Qatar’s natural habitats have come under threat from the inevitable increase in urban, 

industrial and tourism developments. Many non-native plants have been introduced with food, livestock and 

forestry imports and some are having detrimental effects on native species. Coastal ecosystems supporting 

mangroves, saltmarsh and seagrass beds are particularly under threat both in Qatar and other parts of the 

Gulf. It is important, therefore, that both the native and naturalised flora are monitored to inform impact 

assessments, ecosystem management and conservation measures. In this regard the Qatar Foundation 

with support from UNESCO and Maersk Oil Qatar are setting up the Quranic Botanic Garden in Qatar to 

maintain a living collection of native plants for scientific and educational purposes. These organisations have 

generously supported the production of this checklist as an important element in biodiversity conservation 

and environmental education. It is hoped that the checklist will add to the developing knowledge-base of 

plant taxonomy and vegetation ecology amongst Qatari botanists and stimulate interest and understanding 

of the natural habitats and flora of Qatar.

An Illustrated Checklist of the Flora of Qatar - Unesco

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