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Cistanche phelypaea - UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants

Publication
UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
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
Within the UAE, this species occurs in the Liwa area to the south of the country. It is also found in inland plantation sites. The distribution is uncertain due to confusion with Cistanche tubulosa. Globally, the native range of this species spans across the Mediterranean, Macaronesia and northern Africa to the Arabian Peninsula (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
Cistanche phelypaea is known to be a common parasite of shrub species, including Cornulaca monacantha and, occasionally, Zygophyllum qatarense (Brown et al. 2007, MEW 2010). The plant can reach up to 60 cm in height, has alternate scale-like leaves, in addition to dense spikes of yellow flowers which can be seen between December and March (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Karim and Dkaheel 2006, Norton et al. 2009). It is known to grow along roadsides, in plantations and farms, and is considered to be highly salt tolerant (Karim and Dakheel 2006, Norton et al 2009, MEW 2010). This species is also considered to be a weed and is known to be grazed by the sand gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa (Hornby 2003, Karim and Dakheel 2006).
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 is relatively widespread in the UAE, occurring inland and within farm areas in addition to plantations. It is a parasite and is described as common within its range, in addition to being highly salt-tolerant and even considered as a weed in some areas. Although this plant is known to be grazed by gazelles, it is not known whether these factors pose a threat to the species. Therefore, this species is 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
This species may be grazed by livestock and wild animals, however, it is unknown whether this poses a major threat to the species.
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures: