Broadleaved

Near the foothills of Tihama, especially in the belt lying to the west of the first mountains, from Wadi Zabid to Wadi Nawr, the most noticeable tree formation consists of a deciduous woodland of Dobera glabra and Balanites aegyptiaca, associated with Acacia ehrenbergiana, A. oerfota and A. tortilis.

Along the wadi beds in Tihama some evergreen alluvial forests grow. Tamarix nilotica is the dominant species, accompanied by Salvadora persica and Hyphaene thebaica.

On the undulated pediments of the middle escarpment there is a drought-deciduous woodland dominated by scattered Acacia tortilis and accompanied by Commiphora myrrha, C. kataf and Berchemia discolor.

The natural vegetation on the wadis of the highlands consists mainly of riverine formations of Tamarix aphylla, sometimes mixed with Acacia negrii.

In the wadis of the semi-desert region, important relicts of riparian woodland still exist. Tamarix nilotica is frequently present, together with Calligonum comosum, Salvadora persica, Acacia tortilis and A. hamulosa. Grasses like Desmostachya bipinnata, Juncus acutus and Suaeda aegyptiaca are also found.

last updated: Wednesday, October 6, 2004