Taxon name
Forsskaolea tenacissima
L.
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Forsskaolea tenacissima
L.
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Plants
Flowering Plants
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
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.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
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.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
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).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
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).
Threats and conservation measures listed
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).
Publication
Allen, D.J., Westrip, J.R.S., Puttick, A., Harding, K.A., Hilton-Taylor, C. and Ali, H. 2021. UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants. Technical Report. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates, Dubai.
