Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ENUMERATION OF THE FLORA OF WADI LAJAB, SAUDI ARABIA

Yahya S. Masrahi, Remesh M. and Osama H. Sayed

Abstract

Work presented in this paper provides the first overarching compendium of the flora of Wadi Lagab at Al- Raith Governorate in Jazan Region southwest of Saudi Arabia. Increased touristic and recreational interests pose serious threats to plant diversity in the area and are currently a matter of serious concern. The inventory of plant species provided represents an important starting point for conservation in the area. Plant species collected at Wadi Lajab includes a total of 189 plant species in 149 genera belonging to 62 families. Recorded families include one nonvascular plant family, and 61 vascular plant families of which 2 are Pteridophytes, 52 Dicotyledons and 7 monocotyledons. Among recorded plants 20 species are rare and 29 species are of ethnobotanical importance.