Nafud Al-Urayq protected area

Flora and Vegetation

Topography

Nafud Al-Urayq is a narrow protected area, situated in the central part of Saudi Arabia. It is located between 24.750174-25.552082 N and 42.437837-42.580600 E with an area of 1641 km2 and a perimeter of approximately 397 km. The area is composed of Quaternary aeolian sand overlying the crystalline rocks. The entire area, away from the dune part is well connected with road network of both asphalt and vehicular tracks, enabling the villagers to access the protected area from all sides, making it one of the difficult areas for monitoring. Two major wadis and their tributaries join at the northern edge of the area. During rainy season the water flows from west to east providing moisture and disseminules to the protected area, depressions remain filled with water for several weeks making the habitat covered with silt conducive for the growth of annuals.  Although the entire area is covered by sands, small rock formations, hills or hillocks can be found on the entire eastern side just outside the main sand body. North eastern sides of the protected areas are also bordered by isolated rocky hillocks and inselbergs, mostly devoid of any vegetation.

Floristic Analysis

135 species belonging to 108 genera in 37 families have been recorded from the area. Among these, Poaceae (19 spp.) is the largest family followed by Asteraceae and Leguminosae with 19 and 11 species respectively. 16 families are represented by only one species each. Tree species are few in the surveyed area, represented by only 2 (1.5%) species, namely, Acacia raddiana and Tamarix aphylla. Herbs and subshrubs (perennial herbs) are the major categories with 63 (47.7%) and 38 (28.1%) species respectively, followed by perennial grasses and shrubs with 16 (11.9%) and 11(8.1%) species respectively. The share of annual grasses in the study area is insignificant, represented by only 5 (3.7%) species, such as Aristida adscensionis, Phalaris minor and Schismus barbatus. Since the protected area is located within the Saharo-Arabian phytogeographical zone, highest number of species comes from this zone. An approximate 43% (58 spp.) belong to this category, followed by 14 % (19 spp.) from Saharo-Arabian- Irano Turanian category. However, there are incursions of species from other phytogeographical zones such as, Mediterranean, Somalia Masai or Tropical regions.

Vegetation of Nafud Al-Urayq

The terrain of Nafud Al-Urayq is located in an extra arid zone and composed mainly of xeromorphic shrubs and herbs. Although the terrain falls within a arid phytogeographical zone, there are intrusions of species from other phytogeographical zones such as Acacias and Astragalus of Somalia Masai and Irano-Turanian zones respectively. Majority of species belonging to the Saharo-Arabian zone are annuals with either xeromorphic adaptations or live only for a short period. The duration of life of annuals in this area varies from year to year, depending upon the favourable conditions. If the area receives sufficient quantity of rain in a season, density and abundance of herbaceous flora are significantly high while in years of drought, only a few disseminules of the herbs could germinate and produce few flowers and seeds. Depending on the amount precipitation, the overall stature of these plants also varies from a retarded height to normal heights. Haloxylon persicum is the major component of Nafud Al-Urayq, dominating the northern half of the surveyed area, while Acacias (A. ehrenbergiana, A. raddiana and A. tortilis) and xeromorphic dwarf shrublets (Anvillea garcinii, Blepharis ciliaris, Gymnocarpos decander, Sclerocephalus arabicus, etc.  dominate the hillocks and shallow depressions of the southern part. H. persicum is characteristic of the mobile dune area which is also home to a number of shrubs, subshrubs and herbs such as H. salicornicum, Moltkiopsis ciliata, Schismus barbatus, Plantago boissieri, etc. Calligonum comosum, a previously dominant population sharing with H. persicum in the northern and central part is now in a highly degraded state, majority of which are either dead or with a few live branches. Herbaceous flora and other grasses are usually found in depressions where silt and soil accumulates. Subshrubs and shrubs dominate the southern edge of the protected area, mostly found at foot hills or in crevices among hillocks. Haloxylon salicornicum community is mainly dominating in the southern parts and along the periphery of the northern half where the sand is less mobile.  Non palatable tropical element, Calotropis procera and the common desert component Rhazya stricta are not prominent in the surveyed area, primarily due to the restrictions to the domesticated herbs. The palatable grass, Panicum turgidum dominates along the southern side, where it shares the habitat of A. ehrenbergiana, and A. tortilis and a number of annuals, such as Plantago spp., Brassica tourneforte, Centaurea pseudosinaica, Ifloga spicata, Anisosciadium lanatum, etc. 23 locations were selected as sample spots for recording the cover value of populations. An analysis of these values has shown that, the entire vegetation can be divided into 5 communities or vegetation groups, each located in specific habitat. Some species are widely distributed with appreciable abundance while others are with restricted distribution range. The characteristic communities are as follows:

Haloxylon salicornicum community: This community is highly scattered in the northern and southern part of Nafud Al-Urayq. It also dominates in the depressions and semi sabkha areas where rain water accumulates during rainy days. Other species equally dominant in this community are Pulicaria undulata and the non-palatable species Euphorbia retusa (Fig. 6) and E. dracunculoides. Major components of this community are: Ajuga arabica, Andrachne telephoides, Capparis spinosa, Citrullus colocynthis, Euphorbia retusa, E. dracunculoides, Haloxylon salicornicum, Pulicaria undulata

Haloxylon salicornicum-Pulicaria undulata community: dominates in the southern and northern edge of Nafud Al-Urayq, mostly composed of herbaceous flora along the periphery and edges of sand dunes.  This community is usually found on low altitude sand dunes of southern sides and on sand sheets of the northern side with less mobile sand. It contains the highest diversity both in terms of abundance and density. Presence of Capparis spinosa along with Pulicaria undulata as a co-dominant species indicates the area as a shallow depression receiving excess quantity of silt and sand. Majority of species in this community other than the dominant ones are herbs except for a species such as Kohautia caespitose, Senna italica, etc. Low lying areas between dunes support a small population of A. ehrenbergiana. Major components of this community are: Acacia ehrenbergiana, Anisosciadium lanatum, Anthemis deserti, Arnebia hispidissima, Asphodelus tenuifolius, Atractylis carduus, Bassia muricata, Capparis spinosa, Cleome amblyocarpa, Eremobium lineare, Erodium laciniatum, Fagonia glutinosa, Farsetia stylosa, Horwoodia dicksoniae, Koelpinia linearis, Kohautia caespitosa, Launaea capitata, L. mucronata, Lotononis platycarpa, Malva parviflora, Neurada procumbens, Pergularia tomentosa, Plantago amplexicaulis, P. boissieri, P. ciliata, Pulicaria undulata, Reseda arabica, Savignya parviflora, Senna italica

Sabkha sub-community: This community is the smallest among all other prominent ones and therefore not significant in the study area. Distribution of this community is highly restricted, found only along the edges of water logged area. It is dominated by Tetraena propinqua associated with Haloxylon salicornicum. Other associated species in the community are: Cistanche phylepaea, Haloxylon salicornicum, Tamarix nilotica, Tetraena propinqua (=Zygophyllum migahidii)

Haloxylon persicum community: It is the largest community in Nafud Al-Urayq, covering majority of sandy areas. H. persicum, the keystone species of the area, is a large shrub, reaching a height of about 3 meters. This Irano Turanian species is an important component of the sand seas and its population often forms into an isolated ‘island’. Earlier villagers used to gather its branches to use as firewood. Other major species sharing this habitat are: Caltotropis procera, Centropodia forsskalei, Citanche phylepaea, Cyperus conglomeratus, Eremobium lineare, Haloxylon salicornicum, Moltkiopsis ciliata, Monsonia nivea, Polycarpaea repens, Polygala erioptera, Stipagrostis drarii.

Acacia raddiana-Panicum turgidum community: Sand dunes are absent in the southern part of the surveyed area. The terrain is rocky overlaid by a sheet of less mobile sand. Slopes of small hillocks are somewhat vegetated with subshrubs and shrubs such as Ephedra foliataLycium shawii, Hibiscus micranthus, Gymnocarpos decander while the flat wadi bed with a mixture of sand and silt support the growth annuals such as Launaea capitata, Savignya parviflora, Horwoodia dicksoniae citrullus colocynthis, Senecio flavus, Launaea spp. , etc. The population of Acacia raddiana is somewhat healthy, some reaching a height of about 6 meters and above, indicating less grazing.  Major components of this community are : Acacia raddiana, Acacia tortilis, Aerva javanica, Aristida adscensionis, Asphodelus tenuifolius, Asteriscus heirochunticus, Blepharis ciliaris, Centarurea pseudosinaica, Centaurea bruguieri, Chrysopogon plumulosus, Citrullus colocynthis, Convolvulus oxyphyllus, Diplotaxis acris, Emex spinosa, Ephedra foliata, Eragrostis barrelieri, Haplophyllum, tuberculatum, Hibiscus micranthus, Hyparrhenia hirta, Launaea capitata, Launaea nudicaulis, Lycium shawii, Morettia parviflora, Panicum turgidum, Paronychia arabica, Pergularia tomentosa, Plantago ovata, Pulicaria incisa, Pulicaria undulata, Senecio flavus, Teucrium polium, .Zilla spinosa.

Calligonum comosum-Haloxylon salicornicum community: The population of Caliigonum comosum is in a highly depauperate stage, majority of them are in a dying stage, primarily due to intensive wood cutting by nearby villagers prior to the declaration of the area as a protected one. Two types of flowers are seen in this population. However, individual plant maintains the colour of the fruits, either as red or yellow. This shrub is very popular throughout Arabian Peninsula for its excellent firewood which can be used as long and clear burning firewood with less smoke. Major part of this habitat contains mobile sand dunes and therefore contains fewer numbers of species. All species recorded under this community are purely psammophytes having adapted xeromorphic features.  Dominant and associated species of this community are as follows: Calligonum comosumCistanche phylepaeaCyperus conglomeratusEremobium lineareGisekia pharnaceoidesHaloxylon salicornicumMoltkiopsis ciliataMonsonia niveaMorettia parvifloraStipagrostis drarii

Species found in Nafud Al-Urayq

 

Population Cover: A=Abundant; L=Locally Abundant; R=Rare

Chorotype: SA= Saharo Arabian; SM= Somalia Masai; TR=Tropical; Med-SA= Mediterranean –Saharo Arabian; Paleotropic; SA-IT= Saharo Arabia-Irano Turanian; SA-SH= Saharo Arabia-Sahel; SA-SM= Saharo Arabian – Somalia Masai; SM-SH=Somalia Masai-Sahel

Distribution: Najd= Central Region; E= Eastern Province; N=Northern Region; SW=Southwestern Region; NW=Northwestern Region; S=Southern Region.

 

Family

 

Species

 

Lifeform

Population Cover

 

Habitat

 

Chorotype

Distribution in Saudi Arabia

Acanthaceae

Blepharis ciliaris

Herb

L

Foothills and Slopes

SA-SH

Najd, E, N, SW, S

Amaranthaceae

Aerva javanica

Subshrub/

L

Slopes of Hillocks

Paleotropic

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Bassia muricata

Herb

L

Foothills

SA-IT

Najd, E, N,

 

Halothamnus iraqensis

Subshrub

R

Slopes of hills

SA

Najd, E, N

 

Haloxylon persicum

Shrub

A

Sand dunes

IT

Najd, E, N

 

Haloxylon salicornicum

Subshrub

A

Sand sheets

SA

Najd, N, E, SW, NW

Apiaceae

Anisosciadium lanatum

Herb

L

Foothills and Slopes

SA

Najd, N, E, NW

Apocynaceae

Calotropis procera

Shrub

L

Depressions, open plains

SM-SH

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Glossonema boveanum ssp. boveanum

Subshrub

R

Foothills and Slopes

SM-SH

Najd, N, NW

 

Glossonema variens

Subshrub

R

Foothills and Slopes

SM-SH

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Pergularia tomentosa

Subshrub

R

Foothills and Slopes

SM-SH

Najd, E, N, S

Asphodelaceae

Asphodelus refractus

Herb

R

Depressions

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Asphodelus tenuifolius

Herb

A

Depressions

SA-SH

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

Asteraceae

Anthemis deserti

Herb

L

Depressions

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Anvillea garcinii

Subshrub

L

Foothills and Slopes

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Asteriscus heirochunticus

Herb

L

Foothills and Slopes

SA

Najd, E, N, S

 

Atractylis carduus

Herb

L

Foothills and Slopes

SA

Najd, E, N

 

Centaurea bruguieriana

Herb

L

Foothills and Slopes

SA

Najd, E, N

 

Centaurea pseudosinaica

Herb

L

Foothills and Slopes

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Centaurea sp.

Herb

 

Foothills and Slopes

SA

Najd, E, S

 

Echinops polyceras

Subshrub

R

Foothills and Slopes

IT

Najd, N

 

Filago desertorum

Herb

A

Depressions

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

 

Ifloga spicata

Herb

A

Foot hills, hill slopes, Depressions

SA

Najd, E, N

 

Koelpinia linearis

Herb

L

Foothills and Slopes

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

 

Launaea capitata

Herb

A

Open plains, depressions

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Launaea mucronata

Herb

L

Foothills and Slopes

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Launaea nudicaulis

Herb

L

Foothills and Slopes

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Picris babylonica

Herb

A

Foothills and Slopes

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

 

Pulicaria incisa

Subshrub

R

Foothills and Slopes

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Pulicaria undulata

Subshrub

A

Open plains

SA-SM

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Rhanterium epapposum

Subshrub

L

Open plains

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Senecio flavus

Herb

L

Slopes of Hillocks

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

Boraginaceae

Anchusa sp.

Herb

R

Slopes of Hillocks

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW

 

Arnebia hispidissima

Herb

A

Open plains

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Heliotropium bacciferum

Subshrub

L

Open plains

SA-SH

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Heliotropium digynum

Subshrub

A

Sand dunes

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Moltkiopsis ciliata

Subshrub

A

Sand dunes

SA

Najd, E, N, NW, S

 

Trichodesma africanum

Subshrub

L

Slopes of Hillocks

SA-SH

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

Brassicaceae

Brassica tourneforte

Herb

R

Slopes of Hillocks

Med-SA

Najd, E, N

 

Diplotaxis acris

Herb

R

Slopes of Hillocks

SA

Najd, E

 

Diplotaxis harra

Herb

R

Slopes of Hillocks

SA

Najd, E

 

Eremobium lineare

Herb

A

Sand dunes

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Farsetia aegyptiaca

Subshrub

L

Slopes of Hillocks

SA-SH

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Farsetia stylosa

Subshrub

L

Slopes of Hillocks

SA-SH

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Horwoodia dcksoniae

Herb

L

Foot hills

SA

Najd, E, N

 

Morettia parviflora

Subshrub

L

Slopes of Hillocks

SM

Najd, E, N

 

Savignya parviflora

Herb

L

Foot hills and depressions

SA

Najd, E, N

 

Schimpera arabica

Herb

L

Slopes of Hillocks

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Zilla spinosa

Herb

L

Foot hills

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW

Capparaceae

Capparis spinosa

Shrub

A

Depressions

Med-SA

Najd, E, N

 

Cleome amblyocarpa

Herb

L

Depressions

SA-SM

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

Caryophyllaceae

Gymnocarpos decander

Subshrub

L

Slopes of Hillocks

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Paronychia arabica

Herb

L

Depressions

SA

Najd, E, N

 

Polycarpaea repens

Subshrub

A

Sand dunes

SA-SM

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Sclerocephalus arabicus

Subshrub

L

Slopes of Hillocks

SA

Najd, E, N, NW, S

 

Silene villosa

Herb

A

Sand dunes

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Spergula fallax

Herb

L

Depressions

SA

Najd, E, N, NW, S

Cistaceae

Helianthemum lippii

Subshrub

R

Slopes of Hillocks

SA-SM

Najd, E, N, NW

Convolvulaceae

Convolvulus buschiricus

Subshrub

R

Slopes of Hillocks

SA

Najd, E, N, NW, S

 

Convolvulus oxyphyllus ssp. oxycladus

Subshrub

R

Open plains

SA

Najd, E, N, NW, S

 

Convolvulus pilosellifolius

Subshrub

L

Depressions

IT

Najd, E, N, NW, S

Cucurbitaceae

Citrullus colocynthis

Subshrub

A

Depressions

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

Cynomoriaceae

Cynomorium coccineum

Subshrub

R

Sand dunes

Med-IT-SA

Najd, E, N

Cyperaceae

Cyperus conglomeratus

Subshrub

A

Sand dunes

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

Ephedraceae

Ephedra foliata

Shrub

R

Slopes of Hillocks

SA-IT

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

Euphorbiaceae

Andrachne telephioides

Subshrub

L

Depressions

Med-IT

Najd, E, N

 

Euphorbia dracunculoides

Subshrub

A

Depressions

SA

Najd, E

 

Euphorbia granulata

Subshrub

A

Open plains, depressions

SA-SM

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Euphorbia retusa

Subshrub

A

Depressions

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

Fabaceae

Acacia raddiana

Tree

A

Open plains, wadi channels

SM

Najd, E, N

 

Acacia ehrenbergiana

Shrub

L

Open plains, wadi channels

SM

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Acacia tortilis

Shrub

L

Open plains, wadi channels

SM

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Astragalus caprinus

Herb

R

Depressions

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

 

Astragalus schimperi

Herb

L

Depressions

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

 

Astragalus tribuloides

Herb

L

Depressions

SA-IT

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Astragalus spinosus

Subshrub

L

Depressions

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

 

Lotononis platycarpos

Herb

A

Open plains, Sand sheets

SA-SM

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Medicago laciniata

Herb

L

Depressions, slopes of hillocks

SA

Najd, E, N, NW, S

 

Senna italica

Subshrub

L

Open plains

SM

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Tephrosia purpurea

Subshrub

R

Open plains

Slopes of hills

SM

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

Geraniaceae

Erodium laciniatum

Herb

L

Open plains

Med

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Monsonia heliotropoides

Herb

R

Open plains

SM

Najd, E, NW

 

Monsonia nivea

Herb

A

Sand dunes

SA-SM

Najd, E, N

Lamiaceae

Ajuga arabica

Subshrub

L

Depressions

IT

Najd, N

 

Salvia deserti

Subshrub

R

Slopes of hills

SA

Najd, E, N, NW, S

 

Teucrium polium

Subshrub

R

Slopes of hills

Med-IT

Najd, E, N, NW

Liliaceae

Gagea sp.

Herb

R

Open plains

Med-SA

Najd, E, N

Malvaceae

Althaea ludwigii

Herb

L

Depressions

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Hibiscus micranthus

Shrub

L

Slopes of hills

Paleotropic

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Malva parviflora

Herb

L

Depressions

Med-IT

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

Molluginaceae

Gisekia pharnaceoides

Herb

A

Open plains, sand sheets

TR

Najd, E, NW, S

Neuradaceae

Neurada procumbens

Herb

A

Sand sheets

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

Orobanchaceae

Cistanche phelypaea

Subshrub

L

Sand dunes

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

Plantaginaceae

Plantago amplexicaulis

Herb

L

Slopes of hills

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Plantago boissieri

Herb

A

Sand dunes, sand sheets

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Plantago cilata

Herb

A

Depressions and sand sheets

SA

Najd, E, N

 

Plantago ovata

Herb

A

Depressions and sand sheets

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

Poaceae

Aristida adscensionis

Annual

A

Sand dunes

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Aristida funiculata

Perennial

L

Sand dunes

SA

Najd, E, N

 

Brachypodium distachyon

Annual grass

L

Slopes of hills

Med-IT-SA

Najd, E, N, NW, S

 

Cenchrus ciliaris

Perennial grass

L

Slopes of hills

TR

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Centropodia forsskalii

Perennial

A

Sand dunes

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

 

Chrysopogon plumulosus

Perennial

R

Slopes of hills

SA-SM

Najd, E, N, NW, S

 

Cynodon dactylon

Perennial

A

Slopes of hills, depressions

TR

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Enneapogon desvauxii

Perennial

L

Slopes of hills

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

 

Eragrostis barrelieri

Perennial

L

Slopes of hills

Med-SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Hyparrhenia hirta

Annual

L

Slopes of hills

Med-IT-SA

Najd, E, N

 

Lolium persicum

Annual

R

Slopes of hills, depressions

IT

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Ochthochloa compressa

Perennial

L

Slopes of hills

SA-IT

Najd, E

 

Panicum turgidum

Perennial

 

A

Open plains, foot hills

SA-SM

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Phalaris minor

Annual

L

Depressions

Med-IT

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Schismus barbatus

Annual

L

Depressions

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

 

Stipagrostis ciliata

Perennial

R

Sand dunes

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Stipagrostis drarii

Perennial

A

Sand dunes

SA

Najd, E, N, NW, S

 

Stipagrostis hirtigluma

Perennial

R

Sand dunes

SA

 

 

Stipagrostis obtusa

Perennial

L

Sand dunes

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

 

Stipagrostis plumosa

Perennial

A

Sand dunes

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

 

Tetrapogon villosus

Perennial

L

Slopes of hills

SA-SM

Najd, E

Polygalaceae

Polygala erioptera.

Subshrub

R

Slopes of hills

SA-SM

Najd, E, N, SW, NW

Polygonaceae

Calligonum comosum

Shrub

L

Sand dunes

SA-IT

Najd, E, N

 

Emex spinosa

Herb

L

Depressions

Med-SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Rumex vesicarius

Herb

L

Slopes of hills, Depressions

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

Polypodiaceae

Cheilanthus sp.

Subshrub

R

Moist hill slopes

SA-IT

Najd, E, N, SW, NW

Resedaceae

Ochradenus baccatus

Shrub

L

Slopes of hills

SA-SM

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Reseda arabica

Herb

R

Depressions

SA

Najd, E

Rubiaceae

Kohautia caespitosa

Subshrub

R

Slopes of hills

SA-SM

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

Rutaceae

Haplophyllum tuberculatum

Subshrub

L

Open plains

SA

Najd, E

Solanaceae

Lycum shawii

Shrub

L

Foot hills

SA-SH

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

Tamaricaceae

Tamarix aphylla

Tree

R

Abandoned farms

SM

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Tamarix nilotica

Shrub

L

Saline area/sabkha

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

Urticaceae

Forsskaolea tenacissima

Subshrub

L

Slopes of hills

SA-SM

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

Zygophyllaceae

Fagonia bruguieri

Subshrub

A

Slopes of hills

SA

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S

 

Fagonia glutinosa

Subshrub

A

Sand sheets

SA

Najd, E, N, NW, S

 

Seetzenia lanata

Herb

L

Sand sheets

SM

Najd, E

 

Tetraena propinqua

Subshrub

A

Saline area/sabkha

SA

Najd, E, N, NW

 

Tribulus terrestris var. terrestris

Herb

L

Depressions, hill slopes

Paleotropic

Najd, E, N, SW, NW, S