Flora of Qatar

The flora of Qatar includes more than 300 species of wild plants.[1] Qatar occupies a small desert peninsula that is around 80 km (50 miles) from east to west and 160 km (100 miles) from north to south.[2] The climate is hot and humid with sporadic rain. Majority of the country is flat with an annual rainfall average of less than 3 inches.[3] Arnebia hispidissim blooms yellow flowers annually in sandy soil.[4] Glossonema edule has edible fruits with brownish-yellow flowers.[5]

Panicum turgidum in a wadi near Mukaynis, Qatar

Vegetation is extremely sparse in the hamada landscape due to the heavily weathered soil. A native species of tree, Vachellia tortilis (known locally as samr)[6] is well adapted to the desert environment and one of the most common forms of vegetation in the country.[7] Tetraena qatarensis and Lycium shawii also grow in this landscape.[7]

Shallow depressions referred to as rawdat constitute a more varied selection of plants since rainwater run-off is more likely to accumulate. Ziziphus nummularia favors deeper soil in this type of habitat, whereas the grass Cymbopogon parkeri is found in shallower soils. In the south of the peninsula, where groundwater is scarce, Panicum turgidum and V. tortilis grow in the wind-blown soils.[7] Vegetative distribution in the south is mostly concentrated in rawdas and in wadis fed by run-off from nearby hills.[8]