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Economically important Plants |
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All
most all plants are useful in one way or the other. The Bedouins utilize
wild plants for producing medicines, oils, etc, some of which are
essential to their daily existence. The management and utilization of
these relatively meagre plant resources of the deserts are one of the
impressive aspects of the nomadic communities' life in the past few
decades. The ethenobotanical resources of Saudi Arabia can be broadly classified into fibre yielding plants, oil-producing plants, timber plants, edible plants and medicinal plants. Juniperus, Prosopis, Tamarix, Ziziphus, etc. were a good source of timber for construction. The use of Salvadora persica roots as tooth-brush, Myrrh from Commiphora, Henna from Lawsonia inermis, etc. is common even in these days. Reeds such as Phragmites, Typha, Scirpus are still being used more making baskets, mats, etc., although to keep the tradition alive. Pillows have been made from the inflorescence of Typha, Sacharum, Aerva javanica and mats from the fibres of Sansevieria, Dracaena, etc. Not less than 319 species have been identified in the past decades which have been widely used in Saudi folk medicine. Various essential oils were extracted from species belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Species such as Anastatica hierochuntica, Matricaria aurea, Lawsonia inermis, Mentha spp. Calligonum comosum, Teucrium polium, Withania somnifera, Anagyris foetida, Senna alexandrina, etc. are good sources of medicines for treating various ailments. Scientists have reported the presence of linalool in Lavandula pubescens. It also contains small amount of camphor and large amounts of sesquiterpenes. Microbiological screening also revealed that the oil was active against many microorganisms. Achillea fragrantissima, a common plant in the central raudhas and northern parts, contains unsaturated fatty acids, giving the characteristic odour. The content of the lipids in the aerial tops is appreciable and may be of economical significance. Analysis on Horwoodia dicksoniae also proved to contain high percentage of volatile oils, which makes the species one of the rare aromatic plants of Brassicaceae. Plectranthus tenuiflorus, Cleome chrysantha, Rosa abyssinica, Artemisia spp. Lavandula dentata and a considerable number of flowers of various plants also contain various types of volatile oils which could be used in perfume or pharmaceutical industries. Moringa peregrina, a tree species in the northwestern Hijaz Mountains is a good source of oil, which could be used as a medicine or as an edible oil.
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Preliminary catalogue of some of the economically important plants in Saudi ArabiaA. Medicinal plants
Acalypha fruticosa Forssk. Euphorbiaceae An extract of leaves is used for treating bee stings. Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae Crushed roots are used on scorpion bites to ease irritation. Achillea biebersteinii Afan. Compositae An infusion form its leaves is used for the treatment of itching. Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult. Apocynaceae Its sap is used for treating dislocations, painful joints, swellings etc. Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Juss. ex Schults Amaranthaceae A paste made from its inflorescence is used for treating bruises. Ambrosia maritima L. Compositae Plant extract is used to relieve spasms. Anastatica heirochuntica L. Crucifereae A solution of dried plant and water is used by women to ease childbirth. Arnebia hispidissima (Lehm.) DC. Boraginaceae A solution obtained from boiling the whole plant in water is taken as tea to relieve fever. Artemisia sieberi Besser Compositae The whole plant is used as a smoke inhalant to treat various diseases. Leaves are used as an anthelmintic. Astragalus atropilosus (Hochst.) Bunge Papilionaceae Mixture of dried leaves and animal fat is applied to relieve backpain. Calligonum comosum L’Herit Polygonaceae Dried stems and leaves are used against toothache Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl. Apocynaceae Its berries are eaten for colic, menstrual pain Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. Cucurbitaceae Leaves, seeds and roots are used to treat insect bits and colic. Clematis simensis Fresen. Menispermaceae Fresh leaves are used as a poultice to treat rheumatic pain. Conyza incana Willd. Compositae The smoke of burned leaves are used to repel insects, also used for relieving muscular pain. Cynomorium coccineum L. Cynomoraceae The fleshy part of the plant is eaten as a laxative. Dracaena ombet Kotschy & Peyr Agavaceae Resin used for treating haemorrhage, skin infections. Ecbolium virde (Forssk.) Alston Acanthaceae Its leaves are used for treating skin rashes. Euphorbia schimperiana Scheele Euphorbiaceae An extract of leaves and roots is used as a laxative Euryops arabicus Steud. Compositae The leaves and stems are used for treating wounds. Geranium trilophum Boiss. Geraniaceae A mixture of ground plant and water is applied on the body to relieve pain. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Papilionaceae Mixture of powdered rhizome and water or olive oil is used for treating muscle pain. Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R.Br. Chewing the leaves of this plant will prevent the ability of the tongue to taste sweet. Haploplyllum tuberculatum (Frossk.) Fiori Rutaceae Leaves are used as a sedative. The juice of leaves is used to strengthen weak muscles. Indigofera articulata Gouan Papilionaceae Soaked roots are chewed to relieve toothache Lawsonia inermis L. Lythraceae Leaves(“Henna”) is widely used by women as a dye. Matricaria aurea (Loel.) Sch.-Bip. Compositae Inflorescence is used for making a tea for all stomach ailments. Mentha longifolia (L.) L. Labiatae Fresh leaves with tea is taken to relieve stomach-ache and head-ache Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori Moringaceae Oil from the seeds is used to relieve headaches, fever Nepeta deflersiana Schweinf. Labiatae A mixture of leaves extract and tea is taken orally to ease stomach problems Nerium oleander L. Apocynaceae An extract from leaves is used for treating bronchitis, and coughs. Ocimum basilicum L. Labiatae Crushed fresh leaves are placed on bruises to avoid infection. Plectranthus barbatus Andr. Labiatae The juice of crushed fresh leaves is used as a deodorant. Pluchea arabica (Boiss.) Qaiser & Lack Compositae The whole plant is used for treating boils, skin sores Polycarpaea repans (Forssk.) Aschers. et Schweinf. Caryophyllaceae Crushed plant is applied as an antidote against snake bites. Psiadia punctulata DC. Compositae Branches and stems are boiled with water and used to relieve muscle pain. Rhazya stricta Decaisne Apocynaceae Whole plant is used for improving bad breath, chest pain, skin rash. Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae Leaves and roots are used to treat bad breath, toothache etc. Ruta chalepensis L. Rutaceae Leaves are used to cure rheumatism and abdominal colic. Salvadora persica Garc . Salvadoraceae Stems are used as toothbrush. Sansevieria ehrenbergii Schweinf. ex Baker Agavaceae Juice from the leaves is used for treating blisters Seidletzia rosmarinus Bunge ex Boiss. Chenopodiaceae Its leaves are used as a cleansing agent. Senecio asirensis Boulos et Wood Compositae A decoction made from its leaves is used for treating fevers. Senna italica Miller Caesalpiniaceae A solution made from boiling the leaves in water is used for treating constipation and stomach cramps. Sisymbrium irio L. Cruicifereae A solution obtained from boiling the seeds in water is used to relieve cold and fever. Tamarindus indicus L. Caesalpiniaceae Fruits are used as a laxative. Tephrosia apollinea (Delile) Link Papilionaceae Ground leaves are used to treat cough. Teucrium polium L. Labiatae Juice from fresh leaves is applied on cuts and abcesses Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. Solanaceae Pounded leaves and roots are used as a poultice. Ziziphus spina-christi(L.)Desf. Rhamnaceae Fruits and seeds are used against dandruff, headache
B. Edible plants
Amaranthus graecizans L. Amaranthaceae Edible part: Cooked leaves and stems Amaranthus viridis L. Amaranthaceae Edible part: Cooked young stems and leaves Apium graveolens (L.) Lag. Umbelliferae Young leaves and stems Avena sativa L. Gramineae Grains Beta vulgaris L. Chenopodiaceae Cooked roots Capparis spinosa L. Capparaceae Young, fresh fruits are used to make pickles. Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medicus Cruciferae Young leaves and stems Celtis africana Burm. f. Ulmaceae Fresh fruits Chenopodium album L. Chenopodiaceae Fresh leaves and young shoots Chenopodium ambrosioides L. Chenopodiaceae Fresh young leaves and stems Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. Cucurbitaceae Dried and cooked seeds Cynomorium coccineum L. Cynomoraceae Fleshy stem Cyperus esculentus L. Cyperaceae Tuberous roots Diplotaxis erucoides (L.)DC Cruciferae Fresh leaves and stems Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. Gramineae Grains Eruca sativa Mill. Cruciferae Young and fresh leaves Ficus cairica L. Moraceae Ripe fruits Hyphaene thebaica (L.) Mart. Palmae Fresh pericarp of the fruit Lactuca serriola L. Compositae Young green leaves Malva parviflora L. Malvaceae Young stems and leaves Malva verticillata L. Malvaceae Fresh leaves Mentha longifolia L. Labiatae Fresh leaves Olea europaea L. Oleaceae Ripe fruits Origanum syriacum L. Labiatae Fresh young branches Panicum miliaceum L. Gramineae Grains Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. Gramineae The flour from the ground seeds Phoenix dactylifera L. Palmae Ripe fruits Portulaca oleracea L. Portulacaceae Fresh young branches Ranunculus muricatus L. Ranunculaceae Fresh leaves and stems Raphanus sativus L. Cruciferae Tuberous roots Rumex vesicarius L. Polygonaceae Fresh leaves Scorzonera papposa DC. Compositae Whole plant eaten raw. Sesamum indicum L. Pedaliaceae Dried, ripe seeds Sisymbrium irio L. Cruciferae Fresh, young leaves Sonchus oleraceus L. Compositae Tender branches Sorghum vulgare Pers. Gramineae Flour from ground seeds Tamarindus indica L. Papilionaceae Ripe fruits Tripleurospermum auriculatum (Boiss.) Rech. f Compositae Fresh leaves Urtica pilulifera L. Urticaceae Fresh young leaves Urtica urens L. Urticaceae Young stems and leaves Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. Rhamnaceae Fresh, ripe fruits C. Aromatic Plants(plants with aromatic foliage)
Achillea bibersteinii Afan. Compositae Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) Sch.-Bip. Compositae Ambrosia maritima L. Compositae Artemisia judaica L. Compositae Artemisia sieberi Besser Compositae Basilicum polystachion (L.) Moench Labiatae Chrysanthemum coronarium L. Compositae Cymbopogon commutatus (Steud.) Stapf. Gramineae Cymbopogon schoenanthus (L.) Spreng. Gramineae Ducrosia anethifolia (DC.) Boiss. Umbelliferae Lavandula spp. Labiatae Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. Labiatae Meriandra benghalensis Benth. Labiatae Micromeria spp. Labiatae Ocimum spp. Labiatae Origanum syriacum L. Labiatae Pegolettia senegalensis Cass. Compositae Pulicaria glutinosa Jaub. & Spach. Compositae Pulicaria guestii Rech. F. & Rawi Compositae Pulicaria incisa (Lam.) DC. Compositae Pulicaria jauberti Gamal-Eldin Compositae Pulicaria schimperi DC. Compositae Ruta chalepensis L. Rutaceae Scutellaria arabica Jaub. & Spach Labiatae Tagetes minuta L. Compositae Tanacetum santolinoides (DC.)Fein. & Fer. Compositae Teucrium spp. Labiatae Thymus decussatus Benth . Labiatae
D. Ornamental Plants(plants with attractive flowers or shoots)
Abutilon pannosum (G.Forst.) Schltdl. Malvaceae Adenium arabicum Balf. f. Apocynaceae Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Juss. ex Schult Amaranthaceae Ajuga arabica P. Davis Labiatae Albuca abyssinica Dryand Liliaceae Alkanna orientalis (L.) Boiss. Boraginaceae Allium spp. Liliaceae Aloe spp. Liliaceae Amaranthus hybridus L. Amaranthaceae Anisotes trisulcus (Forssk.) Vahl. Acanthaceae Anthemis spp. Compositae Arundo donax L. Gramineae Asperagus spp. Liliaceae Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. Liliaceae Astragalus kahiricus DC. Papilionaceae Astragalus seiberi DC. Papilionaceae Astripomoea malvacea (Koltz.) Meeuse Convolvulaceae Barbeya oleoides Schweinf. Barbeyaceae Buddleja polystachya Fresen. Loganiaceae Campanula spp. Campanulaceae Caralluma spp. Asclepiadaceae Cenchrus ciliaris L. Gramineae Cichorium spp. Compositae Clitoria ternatea L. Papilionaceae Colutea istria Mill. Papilionaceae Convolvulus arvensis L. Convolvulaceae Convolvulus oxyphyllus Boiss. Convolvulaceae Crinum album (Forssk.) Herbert Amaryllidaceae Delonix elata (L.) Gamble Caesalpiniaceae Delosperma harazianum (Defl.) Popp. & Ihl. Aizoaceae Desmidorchis penicillatus (Defl.) N.E. Br. Asclepiadaceae Dianthus spp. Caryophyllaceae Diplotaxis erucoides (L.)DC. Cruciferae Diplotaxis harra(Forssk.) Boiss. Cruciferae Dobera glabra (Forssk.) Poir. Salvadoraceae Dodonaea angustifolia L.f. Sapindaceae Dracaena ombet Kotschy Agavaceae Duvalia spp. Asclepiadaceae Ecbolium virde (Forssk.) Alston Acanthaceae Ehretia obtusifolia Hochst. Boraginaceae Ephedra aphylla Forssk. Ephedraceae Erodium glaucophyllum (L.) L’Her. Geraniaceae Eulophia petersii (Rchb.f.)Rchb.f. Orchidaceae Euphorbia ammak Schweinf. Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia cactus Ehrenb. Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia fractiflexa S. Carter & Wood Euphorbiaceae Euroyps arabicus Steud. Compositae Ficus spp. Moraceae Gladiolus spp. Iridaceae Gypsophila capillaris (Forssk.) C.Chr. Caryophyllaceae Hibiscus deflersii Schweinf. Malvaceae Hibiscus vitifolius L. Malvaceae Horwoodia dicksoniae Turill Cruciferae Hybanthus enneaspermus (Vent.) Muell. Violaceae Hypericum spp. Hypericaceae Hyphaene thebaica (L.) Mart. Palmae Huernia spp. Asclepiadaceae Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch. Gramineae Ipomoea obscura (L.) Ker-Gawl. Convolvulaceae Ipomoea sinensis (Desr.)Choisy Convolvulaceae Iris postii Mouterde Iridaceae Ixiolirion tataricum (Pall.) Herb. Iridaceae Jasminum grandiflorum L. Oleaceae Juncus rigidus Desf. Juncaceae Juniperus spp. Cupressaceae Klenia pendula (Forssk.) Sch.-Bip. Compositae Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne Asclepiadaceae Limonium axillare (Forssk.) Kuntze Plumbaginaceae Limonium carnosum (Boiss.) Kuntze Plumbaginaceae Limonium cylindrifolium (Forssk.) Verdc. Plumbaginaceae Lonicera etrusca Santi Caprifoliaceae Matthiola longipetala (Vent) DC. Cruciferae Mesembryanthemum forsskalii Boiss. Aizoaceae Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori Moringaceae Nicotiana glauca R. Graham Solanaceae Nuxia oppositifolia Hochst. Loganiaceae Olea europaea L. Oleaceae Oncoba spinosa L. Flacourtiaceae Opuntia spp. Cactaceae Pancratium spp. Amaryllidaceae Pandanus odoratissimus L. Pandanaceae Pelargonium multibracteatum Hochst. Geraniaceae Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov. Gramineae Phragmites australis(Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. Gramineae Plumbago zeylanica L. Plumbaginaceae Primula verticillata Forssk. Primulaceae Prunus korshinskyi Hand.-Mazz. Rosaceae Rosa abyssinica Lindley Rosaceae Rumex nervosus Vahl Polygonaceae Rumex vesicarius L. Polygonaceae Salix mucronata Tunb. Salicaceae Salvia spinosa L. Labiatae Sansevieria ehrenbergii schwinf. ex Bak. Agavaceae Scabiosa palaestina L. Dipsacaceae Scadoxus multiflorus (Martyn) Raf. Amaryllidaceae Schimpera arabica Hochst. & Steud. Cruciferae Schouwia purpurea (Forssk.) Schweinf. Cruciferae Scorzonera spp. Compositae Senecio asirensis Boulous & Wood Compositae Senecio hadiensis Forssk. Compositae Senna alexandrina Mill. Caesalpiniaceae Senra incana Cav. Malvaceae Sulcolluma shadhabana (Lavr.) Plowes Asclepiadaceae Tamarix spp. Tamaricaceae Tephrosia nubica (Boiss.) Bak. Papilionaceae Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. Papilionaceae Trichodesma trichodesmoides (Bunge) Guerke Boraginaceae Tulipia biflora Pall. Liliaceae Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) Benth. & Hook. Compositae Zilla spinosa (L.) Prantl Cruciferae
E. Important Grazing plants
Acacia spp. Leguminosae Aeluropus littoralis (Gouan) Parl. Gramineae Anabasis articulata (Forssk.) Moq. Chenopodiaceae Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. Verbenaceae Cenchrus ciliaris L. Gramineae Centropodia forsskalii (Vahl) Cope Gramineae Cornulaca arabica Botsch. Chenopodiaceae Deverra triradiata Hochst. ex Boiss Umbelliferae Diptergium glaucum Decne. Capparaceae Halopyrum mucronatum (L.) Stapf Gramineae Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.)Bge. Chenopodiaceae Hordium murinum L. Gramineae Horwoodia dicksoniae Turrill Cruciferae Lasiurus scindicus Henr. Gramineae Lycium shawii Solanaceae Panicum turgidum Forssk. Gramineae Pennisetum divisum (Gmel.) Henr. Gramineae Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. Compositae Rostraria pumila (Desf.) Tzvelev Gramineae Salsola vermiculata L. Chenopodiaceae Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Gramineae Stipa capensis Thunb. Gramineae Stipagrostis drarii (Tackh.) de Winter Gramineae Stipagrostis plumosa (L.) Munro ex T. Anders. Gramineae Traganum nudatum Del. Chenopodiaceae Tribulus macropterusvar. arabicus (Hosni) Thomas & Hemaid Zygophyllaceae Zygophyllum hamiensevar. mandavillei (Hadidi)Thomas & Chau. Zygophyllaceae |