Taxon name
Bassia muricata
(L.) Asch.
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Bassia muricata
(L.) Asch.
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Plants
Flowering Plants
Species authority
(L.) Asch.
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 seems to be extending its distribution within the UAE as a result of anthropogenic transport and benefitting from the growth of disturbed irrigated areas. Jongbloed et al. (2003) considered this species to be 'rare' and reported this species from three scattered localities, whilst more recent records, including from Jebel Hafeet, show a more widespread presence. It is also possible that the species is rain-dependent, and present in the seedbank, but growing only when soil moisture permits. The species is assessed as Least Concern, however further research is required to understand to what degree the wider current distribution is a result of anthropogenic causes.
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
Within the UAE, Jongbloed et al. (2003) reported this species from three scattered localities (Al Ain, Dubai and Ghiyathi). Karim and Dakheel (2006) considered it to be more widespread, with additional records from Dubai and Jebel Ali. Survey data from the Sharjah Seedbank and Herbarium show the species to be relatively widespread in western parts of Dubai Emirate and eastern parts of Sharjah Emirate, along roads. Sakkir and Brown (2014) reported a new record of the species from Jebel Hafeet, commenting that the species has spread into the area due to increasing human encroachment, benefitting from disturbed irrigated areas. A field record from the Dubai Natural History Group (DNHG 2007) found the species to be locally common in the Sharjah desert following winter rains, although generally found only rarely. The global distribution of this species is across north Africa to north-east Africa, the eastern Mediterranean, through the Arabian Peninsula, to Iran (Board of Trustees, RBG Kew 2019).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Incomplete
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This species is found in sand in disturbed areas, and by roadsides (Jongbloed et al. 2003). Karim and Dakheel (2006) recorded the habitat as steppes and deserts, mainly on sandy and salty soils, flowering from January to June. It is an annual herb, up to 0.5 m high (DDCR 2019).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Grazing by livestock may impact the species in parts of its range, but this requires further research.
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.
