Forsskaolea tenacissima | UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants

Taxa
Forsskaolea tenacissima | L.
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Off
Scope (Assessment)
National
Taxon
Taxonomic Group
Plants
Taxonomic Group Level 2
Flowering Plants
Assessed taxon level
Species
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species is found throughout the UAE (MEW 2010), having been described as widespread in the Hajar Mountains, urban areas and also on some offshore islands (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Feulner 2011, El-Keblawy et al. 2016). It has been recorded at altitudes of up to c. 600 m (and exceptionally, in some cases, up to c. 1100 m altitude) (Feulner 2011). It is also present in Ru'us al-Jibal and Jebel Quitab (Feulner 2011, 2014). Its native range is from southern Spain, through to northern Africa and India (Board of Trustees, RBG Kew 2019).
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
The species can be found in gravel, wadis, rocks and boulders, cliffs and mountain slopes (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Gillett 2006, Feulner 2011) in addition to disturbed areas (MEW 2010). It grows as a herb, up to 60 cm in height, with spoon shaped leaves and flowers that are present between February to June (Jongbloed et al. 2003). An evergreen plant, it has fleshy leaves and requires more water than other species during dry seasons (El-Keblawy et al. 2016). It is a possible host for larvae of Hypena obstialis within the UAE (Gillett 2007). It has a perennial life cycle (Fawzi and Ksiksi 2013).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Least Concern
Assessment status abreviation
LC
Assessment rationale/justification
This species occurs in protected areas and is widespread at lower altitudes in the UAE. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern.
About the assessment
Assessment year
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Affliation of assessor(s)/contributors/reviewers listed on assessment
Government
IGO
Assessor affiliation specific
Government|IGO
Criteria system
Criteria system specifics
IUCN v3.1 + Regional Guidelines v4.0
Criteria system used
IUCN
Criteria Citation
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Endemism
Endemic to region
Not_assigned
Endemism Notes
Is an endemic?: Not_assigned
Conservation
Threats listed in assessment
As it has been recorded in reservoirs, this species may be threatened by use of water for agricultural use and flood prevention (Aspinall et al. 1995). Climate change and drier conditions may also threaten this species as it needs more than other species (El-Keblawy et al. 2016). Access roads through areas where this species is present may pose a threat (Aspinall et al. 1995).
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Forsskaolea tenacissima Plantae Tracheophyta Magnoliopsida Rosales Urticaceae Forsskaolea