Cornulaca aucheri
| Cornulaca aucheri | |
|---|---|
| |
| Cornulaca aucheri on a beach in Qatar | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Cornulaca |
| Species: | C. aucheri
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cornulaca aucheri | |
Cornulaca aucheri is a native spiny undershrub of the family Amaranthaceae, naturally found in arid and semi-arid environments, especially across the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa.[1]
Description
[edit]This species is a low spiny undershrub with a thick, non‑succulent stem and rigid, deflexed leaves. Its stems branch from the base, attaining heights of 15–30 cm in Qatar.[2] The plant’s foliage bears small, sharp leaves, and its flowers appear in clusters of 2–3 in upper axils. The fruiting perianth segments often taper into spines.[3]
Habitat
[edit]The species thrives in sandy soils, particularly along coastal dunes and sabkha margins. It occupies semi-stabilized sands and sandy flats.[4][2]
Distribution
[edit]Cornulaca aucheri ranges from North Africa to Pakistan, including the Arabian Peninsula.[1]
Ecological and local significance
[edit]The plant is traditionally used as fodder for camels, despite its spines.[4][5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Cornulaca aucheri Moq". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Hadh". Qatar e-Nature. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Cornulaca aucheri". UAE Flora. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ a b Abdel Bary, Ekhlas M.M. (November 2012). The Flora of Qatar (The Dicotyledons) (PDF). Vol. 1. Doha: Qatar University. p. 101.
- ^ Ahmed, Modi; Al-Dousari, Noor; Al-Dousari, Ali (2019). "The Ecological Role of Cornulaca aucheri (Amaranthaceae) in the Stabilization of Degraded Sandy Soils in Kuwait: The Case Study of Liyah Area". Exploring the Nexus of Geoecology, Geography, Geoarcheology and Geotourism: Advances and Applications for Sustainable Development in Environmental Sciences and Agroforestry Research. IEREK Interdisciplinary Series for Sustainable Development. Springer. pp. 47–49. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-01683-8_10. ISBN 978-3-030-01682-1.