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Craterostigma plantagineum in its natural habitat in soils of terraces in Tallan Mountain, Jazan province, Saudi Arabia.
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Leptadenia jazanica Y. Masrahi from the province of Jazan, southwestern Saudi Arabia is described as a new species and illustrated. The species differs from the other known nearest species of the genus, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, by decumbent to scrambling habit of stems and persistent leaves. In the same province also two new records belonging to th...
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... The southern region of Saudi Arabia is unique in its nature, land shape, water availability, and climate and is considered significant for the presence of high diversity among plant species [9]. This diversity results might be due to geomorphological characteristics, including islands, dunes, sand plains, low rocky hills, and high mountains [10]. The region maintains a diverse topography and as a result, the climate fluctuates dramatically from hot dry in the lowlands to cold to highlands in the region and according to Hosni & Hegazi a total of 218 species belonging to 48 species present in southern Saudi Arabia [11]. ...
Invasive plants are the second greatest threat to plant diversity, after habitat loss due to human activities. Plant diversity hotspots and islands, as well as farmlands, woodlands, forests, grasslands, and populated areas, are all threatened by invasive species. Over the centuries, and especially in the last few decades, trade and travel have increased dramatically, hastening the introduction of alien species. Although comprehensive sampling is necessary for DNA barcoding, it is rarely done due to a lack of materials. In practice, only a few species from each genus must be identified, rather than all of them. In many of Saudi Arabia's most problematic habitats in the southwestern region, where the presence of invasive species was significant. As a result, in the current application of DNA barcodes, identifying a given species using a limited sample is important. In the case of incomplete sampling, DNA barcodes can provide reliable specific-species discrimination. For that purpose, the current study was designed to identify the four invasive species in the southern part of Saudi Arabia using morphological and 4 molecular barcoding (ITS, PsbA, rbcla, matk,) markers were used for the identification and characterization of invasive species. The results suggested identifying the 4 invasive Solanaceae plants species in the southwestern region. A phylogenetic tree was also constructed from the identified four species along with reference sequences of the blast results from the NCBI confirmed the four Solanaceae species i.e., Datura innoxia, Datura stramonium, Nicotiana glauca, and Withania somnifera, recorded invasive in the southern part of Saudi Arabia. Except for the matK tree, all the trees clustered individuals of the same species together and separately from the other species, with strong bootstrap support indicating that they were more closely related species.
... Similarly, D. velutina and G. siniacus belongs to subfamily Asclepiadoideae in the family Apocynaceae. Although previous studies on D. velutina and G. siniacus focuses on eco-physiology with few studies on molecular genetics (Lang et al., 2018;Masrahi, 2015). Also, so many attentions have been given to cultivated variety of D. velutina and G. siniacus as a result the wild varieties has been neglected; among the Gomphocarpus sp. ...
... There is need for effective molecular markers to address problem of identification in Asclepiadoideae. Some of the markers used to identify D. velutina and G. siniacus were ITS, psbA, matK and rbcL which has helped to some extent in the recent taxonomy of Apocynaceae (Masrahi, 2015). Due to the important economic and medicinal benefits of these species there have been adulterants stocks being sold to people in place of the original species which can affect the quality and medicinal efficacy of the target drugs and or concoctions. ...
... For this reason a correct identification of these species will greatly protect the genetic resources and lineage history. The widely used method of identifying these species was ITS and multiple genomic partial segment bar-coding (Masrahi, 2015;Lang et al., 2018). The commonly used plastid regions were PsbA, trnH and matK are not enough in the correct identification of some angiosperms (Cui et al., 2019). ...
We studied the complete chloroplast genome of Gomphocarpus siniacus and Duvalia velutina from Asclepiadoideae subfamily; due to their medicinal importance and distribution worldwide their interest became high. In this study we analyzed the complete chloroplast genomes of G. siniacus and D. velutina using Illumina sequencing technology. The sequences were compared with the other species from Apocynaceae family. The complete genome of G. siniacus is 162,570 bp while D. velutina has154, 478 bp in length. Both genomes consist of 119 genes; encode 31 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Comparative studies of the two genomes showed variations in SSR markers in which G. siniacus possesses 223 while D. velutina has 186. This could be used for barcoding in order to aid in easy identification of the species. Phylogenetic analysis on the other hand reaffirms the tribal position of G. siniacus in Asclepiadeae and D. velutina in Ceropegieae. These findings could be used in subsequent research studies of angiosperms identification, genetic engineering, herb genomics and phylogenomic studies of Apocynaceae family.
... This diversity is caused by variation in geomorphological characteristics, which includes islands, sand dunes, sandy plains, low rocky hills and high mountains, generating a varied climate ranging from hot-extra arid to hot-arid to relatively low temperature-humid (Masrahi, 2012). In the recent years, floristic explorations have resulted in the discovery of many new taxa and records in this part of Saudi Arabia (Al Farhan, 2000;Al-Turki et al., 2001, 2002, Al-Turki, 2003Fayed and Al-Zahrani, 2007;Al-Zahrani and El-Karemy, 2007;Masrahi et al., 2010Masrahi et al., , 2012aThomas et al., 2014;Masrahi, 2015). Blepahris A. l. ...
Blepharis saudensis, from small islands in the Red Sea of Jazan Provence, Saudi Arabia, is described as a new species and illustrated. This species differs from other known species in this genus by having a combination of long stems, oblong-lanceolate to linear leaves with entire margins and pubescence.
... In the recent years, floristic exploration has resulted in the discovery of many new taxa and records in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Oman and United Arab Emirates (Böer and Chaudhary, 1999;Hanáček and Řičánek, 2000;Lavranos and Collenette, 2000;Al-Hemaid, 2001;Al-Turki et al., 2001Mies, 2001a, 2001b;Thulin et al., 2001;Thulin, 2001aThulin, , 2001bThulin, , 2003Thulin, , 2007Thulin, , 2009Miller et al., 2002;Kilian et al., 2002aKilian et al., , 2002bGhazanfar, 2002;Plowes, 2002Plowes, , 2012Plowes, , 2014Plowes, , 2016Ghazanfar and Edmondson, 2003;Al-Turki, 2003;McCoy, 2003McCoy, , 2012McCoy, , 2013Plowes and McCoy, 2003;Al-Zahrani and El-Karemy, 2007;Fayed and Al-Zahrani, 2007;Hjertson et al., 2008;Goyder and Al-Hemaid, 2009;Bruyns, 2004Bruyns, , 2010Kilian, 2010;Masrahi et al., 2010;Mohamed et al., 2014;Al-Hawshabi, 2014, 2015a, 2015bAl-Hawshabi et al., 2015;Masrahi, 2015;Al-Rehaily et al., 2015;Thomas et al., 2015;Al-Hawshabi et al., 2017). A total of 7900 species of native and naturalized plants have been reported from the Arabian Peninsula in these publications. ...
The genus Oxystelma R. Br., represented by O. esculentum (L. f.) Sm. (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae), is reported for the first time in the Arabian Peninsula from the Tuban district of Lahej Province, Yemen. This represents a new record not only for this species but also for the genus in the Arabian Peninsula. A detailed description and other information like habitats , phenology, life form, distribution map and photographs are provided to facilitate easy identification.
... It includes about 2282 species (Thomas, 2011) and has early been studied by several workers (Migahid, 1989(Migahid, , 1990Mandaville, 1990;Collenette, 1999;Chaudhary, 1999Chaudhary, , 2000Chaudhary, , 2001. Recent explorations by subsequent workers brought several additions to the flora of Saudi Arabia (Alfarhan et al., 1997;Al-Turki, 2003;Fayed and Al-Zahrani, 2007;Masrahi et al., 2010Masrahi et al., , 2012aThomas et al., 2014;Masrahi, 2015). These recent explorations have repeatedly indicated that the flora of most of the regions in Saudi Arabia is still under explored. ...
Phragmites australis (Poaceae) is a cosmopolitan reed grass, so far reported only in Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. Our recent field exploration in the South West Region of Saudi Arabia resulted in documentation of this species in Gizan City (Jazan Region). The species is reported here as a first record in Jazan Region and an addition to Jazan flora. A note on distribution, ecology, and brief description of the plant is also provided. Keywords: Jazan, New record, Phragmites australis, Poaceae, Saudi Arabia
The use of wild plants is considered to be an eco-friendly and promising natural resource. In sandy desert habitats, Leptadenia pyrotechnica flourishes as a xerophytic shrub with high biomass production. As a dominant shrub in the arid sand dune habitats of Saudi Arabia, Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne (Asclepiadaceae) is one of the most common xerophytes; the many medicinal uses of this plant include treating allergies, productive coughs, abortions, diabetes, stomach disorders, fevers, kidney disorders, and stones. In such a distribution, morpho-anatomical characteristics, among other adaptive traits, play an important role. This study aims to characterize some morpho-anatomical adaptations of L. pyrotechnica in two stressful habitats: the hyper-arid inland sand dunes of the Empty Quarter (EQ) and the arid coastal sand dunes of Jazan. A morpho-anatomical analysis of plant stems and roots from both habitats was conducted using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The outcomes indicated similar characteristics, a low surface-to-volume ratio (S/V), a thin boundary layer (δ bl ), an epidermis with many layers of hypodermis, bundles of sclerenchymatous cells around vascular tissue, and storage starch grains in ray parenchyma between xylem conduits. On the other hand, the L. pyrotechnica stem from the hyper-arid habitat of the Empty Quarter revealed more encrypted stomata, more elongated palisade cells, less calcium oxalate crystals with low Ca percentage, and a high vulnerability index of xylem vessels compared with the same traits of the stem from the Jazan coastal sand dunes habitat. Roots of L. pyrotechnica from both habitats revealed similar features of general anatomy. However, differences in specific anatomical traits were observed, especially in xylem vessel characters. The vulnerability index of root xylem vessels from the Empty Quarter habitat was more than that from the Jazan coastal sand dunes habitat. Furthermore, vestured bordered pits in root xylem walls were more abundant in the Empty Quarter habitat than in the Jazan coastal sand dunes habitat. As a result, these characteristics in the morpho-anatomy of L. pyrotechnica from both habitats provide practical adaptations to highly stressful conditions, along with specific anatomical traits relating to each habitat.
Saudi Arabia diverse landforms include saltmarshes, sand dunes, desert plains, desert pavements, ancient lava fields, and mountains. Climate is influenced by winter Polar and summer Tropical Continental air masses. Tropical Maritime air affects southwestern regions during summer. Climate depends also on location and altitude with hot humid coastal areas, hot dry deserts, hyper-arid desert pavements and lava fields, and temperate mountainous regions. Climate exhibits spatiotemporal patterns reflecting north-south gradients of temperature, rainfall, evapotranspiration, and aridity. Vast latitudinal range and steep altitudinal gradient create temperature variations, affect rainfall seasonality and distribution, and influence dry season duration. Distribution of plant communities and species reflects multitudinous interactions between climate and plant traits, physiology, and chorology. Species exhibiting C3 photosynthesis inhabit cool northern regions and temperate southwestern mountains, species with C4 photosynthesis inhabit hot low-lying regions, and arido-active succulents with crassulacean acid metabolism dominate hyper-arid desert pavements and lava fields. Plant distribution also relates to species chorology with Euro-Siberian, Irano-Turanian, and Mediterranean chorotypes dominating cool northern regions and temperate southwestern mountains, while Saharo-Sindian, Sudano-Zambezian, and Tropical chorotypes dominating hot southern regions. Plant communities and species occurring in different habitats are described in relation to their traits, physiology, and chorology. Nature reserves and phytodiversity hotspots are considered with special reference to endemic, rare, endangered, and invasive species. An environmental perspective is also given in relation to anthropogenic pressures and positive directives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Seeking new bioactive compounds in drug research relies on the invention of new synthetic molecules and the discovery of natural phytochemicals from medicinal plants. Thus, natural products are one of the pillars of drug discovery. Leptadenia pyrotechnica is a promising edible herbal plant, which has common traditional uses in Asia and Africa to cure various serious diseases. Numerous research studies reported that this plant has many valuable bioactive constituents with several pharmacological activities. Therefore, this plant could be a source for the development of novel lead pharmaceutical compounds. This review discusses the significance of this plant to human health and thus drug discovery by providing a comprehensive report on the recorded data of folk uses, phytochemicals along with their analysis techniques, toxicity, and pharmacological effects of this plant. This will help researchers find out the recent drug discovery research progress that was accomplished on this plant as well as the available gaps to fulfill. A systemic search was conducted according to PRISMA at which 15 primary databases were explored. The results showed that 38 pharmacological and 44 chemical studies were conducted on this plant leading to the determination of more than 200 phytochemicals and 17 biological activities of this plant.
Indigofera cordifolia Heyne ex Roth. so far reported only in Arabian Peninsula from Oman. A recent field expedition in the Farasan Archipelago, Saudi Arabia, Red Sea resulted in documentation of this species in Dumsuk Island. Morphological examination and molecular identification based on nrDNA ITS region of this plant species was investigated in this study. The result show that ITS had high species-level discrimination efficiency for the identification of I. cordifolia that may provide help in authentic identification and management process of this rare and nationally endangered species.
There are many non-conventional fibre-yielding plants with the potential for use for different applications. Some of them are presented in the chapter.
