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Ahmed K. Osman & Ibrahim A. El Garf
Studies on the shallow wadies of the Mareotis sector of the
Mediterranean coastal land of Egypt: Floristic features of Wadi Hashem
Abstract
Osman, A. K. & El Garf, I. A.: Studies on the shallow wadies of the Mareotis sector of the
Mediterranean coastal land of Egypt: Floristic features of Wadi Hashem. — Fl. Medit. 25: 57-
71. 2015. — ISSN: 1120-4052 printed, 2240-4538 online.
A total of 195 species were recorded in the different sectors of Wadi Hashem cut-in the lime-
stone plateau west of Mersa Matruh (Egypt). The distribution of these species in the different
sectors of the Wadi as well as the phytochoria for the recorded species is provided. The highest
number of species (157) was recorded in the stream part of the Wadi bed while the lowest num-
ber (34) was recorded in the three cliffs of the Wadi. Sixty seven species forming 34.36% of the
total are typical Mediterranean (monoregional) taxa. About 93 species (47.69%) are bi- or
pluriregional taxa with apparent Mediterranean affinities.
Key words: flora, phytochoria, Wadi Hashem, Mareotis sector.
Introduction
The Mediterranean coastal land of Egypt remains floristically one of less known
territories of this country. It is regarded by El-Hadidi (1980) as one phytogeographi-
cal (ecological) territory extending for about 970 km from Sallum on the Egyptian-
Libyan border eastwards to Rafah on the Egyptian-Palestinian border, with an average
width of 15-20 km in a north-south direction. Zahran & al. (1985, 1990) distinguished
between three sectors of the Mediterranean coastal land: western (the Mareotis,
extending for 550 km between Sallum and Alexandria), middle (Deltaic, extending for
180 km between Alexandria and Port Said) and eastern (Sinaitic, extending for 220 km
between Port Said and Rafah). El-Hadidi (2000) divided the Mediterranean coastal
land of Egypt into: Mareotis sector where Cyrenaican elements are prominent and
Sinaitic sector where East Mediterranean taxa prevail. He regarded the Deltaic sector
sensu Zahran & al. (1985, 1990) as transitional zone between both sectors. According
to Zahran & Willis (1992), the western Mediterranean coastal belt is by far the richest
part of Egypt in its floristic composition owing to its relatively high rainfall. Boulos
(1975) cited 1095 taxa recorded along Mediterranean coastal land of Egypt and El-
Hadidi (2000) gave an estimate of 1060 taxa which are recorded in the Mediterranean
Fl. Medit. 25: 57-71
doi: 10.7320/FlMedit25.057
Version of Record published online on 57 December 2015
coastal land, among which 321 are typical Mediterranean taxa which are not known
elsewhere in Egypt. Mashaly (1987) recorded 225 species from Deltaic sector of the
Mediterranean coastal land of Egypt; of which about 45% are Mediterranean taxa and
Khedr (1999) recorded 135 species in the Mediterranean Deltaic Burollos Lake with
more than half of the species (54.1%) have Mediterranean distribution. Gibali (1988)
recorded 382 taxa from the Sinaitic sector, of which 50% are Mediterranean. At pres-
ent no exact estimation can be given for the number of species of Mareotis sector
extending for 550 km between Sallum and Alexandria, which can raise up to 600 taxa
(El-Hadidi 1993). Among the earlier works that are known to the authors dealing with
the floristic features and vegetation of some Wadies dissecting the limestone plateau
running parallel to the west Mediterranean coast of Egypt are that of El-Hadidi & al.
(1986), El-Kady & Sadek (1992), Kamal & El-Kady (1993), El-Garf (2003), Salama
& al. (2003 & 2005), Osman & al. (2009) and Youssef & al. (2014).
The Study Area
Wadi Hashem (31° 21’ 775” N, 27° 00’ 476” E) is one of the main shallow gullies drain-
ing the southern limestone plateau, which lies parallel to the west Mediterranean coast
(Fig. 1). These gullies (Wadies) are different from the true drainage systems (Wadies) of
the Eastern Desert (El Hadidi 2000a, 2000b). The Wadi consists of several shallow efflu-
ents which cut through the limestone plateau. These effluents unite into a deep gorge-like
channel about 5km long which varies in width between 10-100 meters. The Wadi may be
photographically distinguished into the following sectors:
a. Upper reach part: (31° 21’ 775” N, 27° 00’ 476” E): comprises the first high area that
provides a highly specialized habitat for a number of chasmophytic species. The Upper
reach part lies at 88 m a.s.l..
b1. Upstream part: The upper level of the Wadi bed is next to upper reach (31° 21’ 850”
N, 27° 00’ 504” E) (b1), about 81 m a.s.l. and 12 m wide.
b2,b3: Middle and Downstream parts: The middle and lower levels of the Wadi bed
comprise the mouth of the Wadi (31° 22’ 862” N, 27° 01’ 355” E), which are delimited
by salt marshes towards the sea coast. Large amounts of runoff water and alluvial soil,
collect forming a plain where figs, olives and barley are cultivated; they are laid at 23-
67 m a.s.l. and 20-100 m wide.
C. Cliffs: consists of three cliffs which provide a highly specialized habitat for a number
of chasmophytic species. The first upper cliff next to upper reach (31° 21’ 07”N+, 27°
00’ 477” E, 85m a.s.l.) is 3-5 m. High; the second and the third ones at the middle stream
part (31° 22’ 612” N, 27° 01’ 240” E, 50m a.s.l.) is 30-40 m high.
S. Slopes: comprises bordering slopes for the Wadi bed. The upper positions on the slopes
are steep and accumulate few amounts of soil which supports chasmophytic vegetation.
The middle and the down positions of slopes are less steep and accumulate shallow soil
mixed with rock fragments of different sizes. They support shrubby vegetation which is
more prominent in the lower positions of slopes.
58 Osman & El Garf: Studies on the shallow wadies of the Mareotis sector of the ...
Materials and methods
Mediterranean regions are characterized by their long growing seasons of moderate to
warm temperatures and little rainfall (with most precipitation occurring in the winter
months (Fig. 2). The study area was visited periodically in the period from 2005 to 2006,
twice yearly. The recorded species were arranged in alphabetic order. Floristic categories
are those of White (1965), Wickens (1978) and Zohary (1973). Plant collections were iden-
Flora Mediterranea 25 — 2015 59
Fig. 1. Location map of Wadi Hashem west of Mersa Matruh town.
tified according to Täckholm (1974), Boulos (1999, 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2009) and El-
Hadidi (2000 a,b). Nomenclature is according to Boulos (1999, 2000, 2002, 2005 and
2009). Reference collections are kept in the Cairo University Herbarium (CAI) and Qena
Faculty of Science, Botany Department Herbarium.
Results
Plant species recorded in different sectors of Wadi Hashem are listed in Table 1. The list
includes 196 species belong to 41 families of phanerogams and one family (Ephedraceae)
of vascular cryptogams. Their generic representation is quite variable, and only one fami-
ly has more than thirty genera (Asteraceae 31), one family possesses 20 genera (Poaceae)
and one family holds more than 10 genera (Fabaceae 14). Six families include from 4 to
9 genera (Caryophyllaceae 9, Chenopodiaceae 7, Lamiaceae 7, Apiaceae 6, Brassicaceae6 and Polygonaceae 4), 10 families own two genera and 23 families comprise only one
genus. Only one family exceeds 30 taxa (Asteraceae 38), two families includes from 20 to
27 taxa (Poaceae 27, Fabaceae 22) and one has more than 10 taxa (Caryophyllaceae 11),
The lowest number of taxa (34 species) was recorded from the cliffs. Five taxa are con-
fined to this sector viz. Periploca angustifolia, Umbilicus horizontalis, Ephedra aphylla,
Hyparrhenia hirta and Rostraria cristata. Forty seven taxa were recorded in the upper
reach sector, of which Minuartia geniculata, Polycarpea repens, Aegilops bicornis and
Vulpia fasiculata are restricted to this habitat. Ninety-two taxa were recorded on the slopes
of the wadi 19 taxa of which are restricted to this habitat viz. Allium neapolitanum, A. rose-um, Bupleurum nanum, B. semicompositum, Asphodelus aestivus, A. tenuifolius,
60 Osman & El Garf: Studies on the shallow wadies of the Mareotis sector of the ...
Fig. 2. Climate diagram of Matruh (N 31º19' – E 27 º 13'), North East of Egypt.
Flora Mediterranea 25 — 2015 61
Tabl
e 1.
Dis
tribu
tion
of sp
ecie
s rec
orde
d in
diff
eren
t sec
tors
of W
adi H
ashe
m a
nd it
s flo
ristic
cat
egor
ies.
Se
ctor
s:-
a =
Upp
er re
ach
part,
b1
= th
e fir
st W
adi b
ed p
art n
ext t
o up
stre
am, b
2 =
the
mid
dle
stre
am p
art o
f Wad
i bed
, b3
= th
e do
wns
tream
par
t of W
adi b
ed (m
outh
), c1
= th
e fir
st
cliff
nex
t to
upst
ream
, c2
= th
e se
cond
clif
f at t
he m
iddl
e st
ream
par
t, c3
= th
e th
ird c
liff d
own
the
seco
nd c
liff d
irect
ly, s
1 =
slop
es a
t the
upp
er p
art o
f the
Wad
i, s2
= sl
opes
at
the
mid
dle
part
of th
e W
adi,
s3 =
slop
es a
t the
dow
n pa
rt of
the
Wad
i.
O
ccur
renc
e:-
= a
bsen
t, +
= pr
esen
t.
Fl
oris
tic c
ateg
orie
s:-
CO
SM.
= C
osm
opol
itan,
ER
-SR
. =
Euro
-Sib
eria
n, G
C.
= G
uine
o-C
ongo
lian
regi
on,
IR-T
R.
= Ir
ano-
Tura
nian
, M
ED.
= M
edite
rran
ean,
PA
L. =
Pal
eotro
pica
l, PA
N.
= Pa
ntro
pica
l, SA
. = S
ahar
oAra
bian
, SA
-SI.
= Sa
haro
-Sin
dian
, S. =
Som
alia
n, S
-Z. =
Sud
ano-
Zam
besi
an.
Fam
ilies
N
o. o
f gen
era
Spec
ies
Sect
ors
Flor
istic
cat
egor
ies
a b1
b2
b3
c1
c2
c3
s1
s2
s3
Aiz
oace
ae
1 M
esem
brya
nthe
mum
cry
stal
linum
L.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+ER
-SR
M
esem
brya
nthe
mum
nod
iflor
um L
. -
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+S
A–S
I+IR
-TR
Alli
acea
e 1
Alli
um b
arth
ianu
m A
sch.
& A
schw
einf
. -
- -
- -
- -
+ +
- M
ED
Alli
um e
rdel
ii Zu
cc.
- -
- -
- +
- -
+ +
MED
+ IR
-TR
A
llium
nea
polit
anum
Cyr
. -
- -
- -
- -
- +
+ M
ED
Alli
um ro
seum
L.
- -
- -
- -
- -
- +
MED
+SA
–SI
Am
aran
thac
eae
1 A
mar
anth
us g
raec
izan
s L.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
-TR
A
mar
anth
us v
irid
is L
. -
- +
+ -
- -
- -
- C
OSM
.
Api
acea
e
6
Bup
leur
um n
anum
Poi
r.
- -
- -
- -
- -
+ -
MED
+IR
–TR
B
uple
urum
sem
icom
posi
tum
L.
- -
- -
- -
- -
- +
MED
+SA
–SI+
IR–T
R
Cor
iand
rum
sativ
um L
. -
- +
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED
Dau
cus s
yrtic
us M
urb.
-
+ -
- -
- -
- -
- M
ED
Dev
erra
tort
uosa
(Des
f.) D
C.
+ +
+ -
- +
- +
+ +
SA–S
I E
ryng
ium
cam
pest
re L
. -
+ -
- -
- -
- -
- M
ED
Foe
nicu
lum
vul
gare
subs
p. p
iper
itum
(Ucr
ia.)
Cou
t. -
- +
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+I
R-T
R
Ara
ceae
1
Ari
saru
m v
ulga
re T
arg.
Toz
z.
- +
- -
- -
- +
- -
MED
A
scle
piad
acea
e 1
Pe
ripl
oca
angu
stifo
lia L
abill
. -
- -
- -
- +
- -
- M
ED
Asp
arag
acea
e 1
Asp
arag
us st
ipul
aris
For
ssk.
-
+ -
- -
- -
+ +
- M
ED
A
spho
dela
ceae
A
spho
delu
s aes
tivus
Bro
t. -
- -
- -
- -
+ -
+ M
ED
Asp
hode
lus f
istu
losu
s L.
+ +
- -
- -
- +
+ +
MED
62 Osman & El Garf: Studies on the shallow wadies of the Mareotis sector of the ...
1 A
spho
delu
s ten
uifo
lius C
av.
- -
- -
- -
- -
+ +
MED
+IR
–TR
Ast
erac
eae
31
Ach
illea
sant
olin
a L
. +
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+I
R-T
R
Ana
cycl
us m
onan
thos
(L.)
The
ll.
+ -
+ +
- -
- +
- +
MED
A
nthe
mis
mic
rosp
erm
a B
oiss
. & K
otsc
hy
- +
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
A
ster
iscu
s hie
roch
untic
us (M
icho
n) W
iklu
nd
-
- +
- -
+ -
- -
MED
+IR
–TR
A
ster
iscu
s spi
nosu
s (L
.) Sc
h. B
ip.
- +
+ -
- +
- -
+ +
MED
+IR
–TR
A
trac
tylis
can
cella
ta L
. -
- -
+ -
- -
+ -
- M
ED+I
R–T
R
Atr
acty
lis c
ardu
us (F
orss
k.) C
. Chr
ist
- -
- +
- -
- +
- -
MED
C
alen
dula
arv
ensi
s L.
+ +
+ +
- -
- +
- -
MED
+IR
-TR
C
ardu
ncel
lus e
rioc
epha
lus B
oiss
. +
+ -
- +
- -
+ +
- SA
–SI
Car
dunc
ellu
s mar
eotic
us (D
elile
) Han
elt
+ +
+ +
+ -
- +
- +
MED
C
ardu
us g
etul
us P
omel
-
+ -
- -
- -
+ -
- M
ED
Cen
taur
ea a
lexa
ndri
na D
elile
+
- +
- -
- -
+ +
- M
ED
Cen
taur
ea g
lom
erat
a V
ahl.
- -
+ -
- -
- +
- -
MED
C
icho
rium
end
ivia
subs
p. d
ivar
icat
um (S
chou
sb.)
P. D
. Sel
l. -
+ +
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+I
R–T
R
Cyn
ara
corn
iger
a L
indl
. -
+ +
- -
- -
+ +
+ M
ED
Ech
inop
s spi
nosu
s L.
+ +
+ -
- -
- +
- -
MED
F
ilago
des
erto
rum
Pom
el
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
SA–S
I+IR
–TR
F
ilago
mar
eotic
a D
elile
-
+ -
+ -
- -
+ +
- M
ED
Gar
hadi
olus
ang
ulos
us J
aub.
& S
pach
-
- +
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+I
R–T
R
Gle
bion
is c
oron
ariu
m (L
.) T
zvel
ev
+ -
- +
- -
- +
- -
MED
G
ymna
rrhe
na m
icra
ntha
Des
f. -
- -
- +
- -
- +
- SA
–SI+
IR–T
R
Hed
ypno
is rh
agad
iolo
ides
(L.)
F.W
. Sch
mid
t -
- -
+ -
- -
- -
+ M
ED+I
R–T
R
Iflo
ga sp
icat
a (F
orss
k.) S
ch. B
ip.
- -
+ +
- -
+ -
- -
MED
+SA
–SI
Laun
aea
capi
tata
(Spr
eng.
) Dan
dy
+ -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+SA
–SI
Laun
aea
nudi
caul
is (L
.) H
ook.
f.
+ +
- +
- -
- -
+ -
SA–S
I+IR
–TR
+S–Z
Le
onto
don
sim
plex
(Viv
.) W
idde
r.
- -
- +
- -
+ -
- -
MED
M
atri
cari
a au
rea
(Loe
fl.) S
ch. B
ip.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
–TR
+ER
–SR
O
nopo
rdum
ale
xand
rinu
m B
oiss
. -
- +
+
+ +
+ +
- M
ED+S
A–S
I+IR
–TR
Ast
erac
eae
Phag
nalo
n ru
pest
re (L
.) D
C.
- +
+ -
- -
- +
+ -
MED
+IR
–TR
Pi
cris
asp
leni
oide
s L.
- -
- +
- -
+ -
- -
MED
Pi
cris
long
iros
tris
Sch
. Bip
. -
- +
- -
+ -
- -
- M
ED
Rei
char
dia
tingi
tana
(L.)
Rot
h -
- +
+ -
- -
+ -
- M
ED+
SA-S
I Sc
orzo
nera
und
ulat
a V
ahl
- -
- -
- -
- +
- -
MED
Se
neci
o gl
aucu
s sub
sp. c
oron
opifo
lius (
Mai
re) C
. Ale
xand
er
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
SA–S
I+IR
–TR
Se
riph
idiu
m h
erba
-alb
a (A
sso.
) Soj
k.
- -
- -
- +
- +
+ +
MED
+IR
–TR
Tab
le 1
. co
nti
nued
.
Flora Mediterranea 25 — 2015 63
Sonc
hus o
lera
ceus
L.
- -
+ +
- -
- -
- -
CO
SM.
Uro
sper
mum
pic
roid
es (L
.) F.
W. S
chm
idt
+ -
+ +
- -
- -
- +
MED
+IR
-TR
V
allis
neri
a sp
iral
is L
. -
+ +
- +
- +
- -
- M
ED
B
orag
inac
eae
2
Anc
husa
aeg
yptia
ca (L
.) A
. DC
. -
- -
+ -
- +
- -
- M
ED+I
R-T
R
Ech
ium
ang
ustif
oliu
m M
ill.
- -
+ +
- -
- -
- +
MED
+SA
–SI
Ech
ium
rubr
um F
orss
k.
- -
+ +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
–TR
Bra
ssic
acea
e 6
Bis
cute
lla d
idym
a L
. -
- -
- -
- -
- +
- M
ED+I
R–T
R
Car
rich
tera
ann
ua (L
.) D
C.
+ -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+SA
–SI
Did
esm
us b
ipin
natu
s (D
esf.)
DC
. +
- -
+ -
- -
- -
+ M
ED
Ena
rthr
ocar
pus l
yrat
us (F
orss
k.) D
C.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
M
atth
iola
long
ipet
ala
subs
p. li
vida
(Del
ile) M
aire
. +
+ +
- -
- -
- +
+ M
ED+I
R-T
R
Sisy
mbr
ium
irio
L.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+SA
–SI+
IRTR
+ER
- SR
C
appa
race
ae 1
C
appa
ris s
pino
sa v
ar. i
nerm
is T
urra
-
+ +
- +
- +
- -
- M
ED
C
aryo
phyl
lace
ae
9
Gym
noca
rpos
dec
andr
us F
orss
k.
- +
- -
- +
- -
+ +
MED
+SA
-SI
Her
niar
ia h
emis
tem
on J
. Gay
-
+ -
- -
- -
- +
- M
ED+S
A–S
I H
erni
aria
hir
suta
L.
- -
- -
- -
- +
- -
MED
+IR
–TR
+ ER
-SR
. M
inua
rtia
gen
icul
ata
(Poi
r.) T
hell.
+
- -
- -
- -
- -
- M
ED
Paro
nych
ia a
rabi
ca L
am.
- +
- -
- -
- -
+ +
MED
+SA
–SI
Poly
carp
ea re
pens
(For
ssk.
) Asc
h. &
Sch
wei
nf.
+ -
- -
- -
- -
- -
SA–S
I Po
lyca
rpon
tetr
aphy
llum
(L.)
L.
+ +
+ +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+SA
–SI+
IR–T
R
Sile
ne a
peta
la W
illd.
-
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+I
R–T
R
Sper
gulla
falla
x (L
owe)
E. H
. K. L
. Kra
use
+ -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
–TR
Sp
ergu
lari
a di
andr
a (G
uss.)
Boi
ss.
+ -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
-TR
Sp
ergu
lari
a m
arin
a (L
.) B
essl
er
- +
- -
- -
- -
- -
MED
Che
nopo
diac
eae
7 C
heno
podi
acea
e
Ana
basi
s art
icul
ata
(For
ssk.
) Moq
. +
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- SA
-SI +
IR-T
R
Atr
iple
x ha
limus
L.
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- -
MED
+SA
–SI
Bet
a vu
lgar
is L
. +
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+I
R–T
R+E
R–S
R
Che
nopo
dium
mur
ale
L.
+ -
- +
- -
- -
- -
CO
SM.
Hal
oxyl
on sa
licor
nicu
m (M
oq.)
Bun
ge e
x B
oiss
. +
- -
- -
- -
+ -
- SA
–SI+
IR–T
R
Hal
oxyl
on sc
opar
ium
Pom
el
- -
- +
- -
- -
- +
SA–S
I+IR
–TR
N
oaea
muc
rona
ta (F
orss
k.) A
sch.
& S
chw
einf
. +
+ -
- -
+ -
+ +
+ M
ED+I
R-T
R
Suae
da p
ruin
osa
Lan
ge
- -
+ -
- -
+ -
+ +
MED
Cis
tace
ae
2
Fum
ana
thym
ifolia
(L.)
Spac
h ex
Web
b.
- -
+ -
- -
- -
+ -
MED
H
elia
nthe
mum
kah
iric
um D
elile
-
- -
- -
+ -
- -
+ SA
–SI
Hel
iant
hem
um li
ppi (
L.)
Dom
. Cou
rs.
- +
- -
- -
+ -
- -
SA–S
I+S–
Z
Con
volv
ulus
alth
aeoi
des L
. -
+ +
- -
- -
- -
- M
ED
Tab
le 1
. co
nti
nued
.
64 Osman & El Garf: Studies on the shallow wadies of the Mareotis sector of the ...
Con
volv
ulac
eae
2 C
onvo
lvul
us a
rven
sis L
. -
+ +
- -
- -
- -
- PA
L C
onvo
lvul
us o
leifo
lius D
esr.
-
- -
- -
+ -
- +
+ M
ED
Cre
ssa
cret
ica
L.
- -
+ +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
-TR
C
rass
ulac
eae
1
Um
bilic
us h
oriz
onta
lis (G
uss.)
DC
. -
- -
- -
+ -
- -
- M
ED
Cyp
erac
eae
2 C
arex
div
isa
Hud
s. -
+ -
- -
- -
+ -
- M
ED+I
R–T
R+E
R-S
R
Cyp
erus
rotu
ndus
L.
- -
+ +
- -
- -
- -
PAN
D
ipsa
cace
ae 1
Pt
eroc
epha
lus p
lum
osus
(L.)
Cou
lt.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
-TR
E
phed
race
ae 1
E
phed
ra a
phyl
la F
orss
k.
- -
- -
- -
+ -
- -
MED
Eup
horb
iace
ae
1
Eup
horb
ia fo
rssk
aolii
J. G
ay.
- -
- -
- -
- -
- +
PAL
Eup
horb
ia h
iero
soly
mita
na B
oiss
. -
- -
- -
- -
- +
- M
ED+I
R–T
R
Eup
horb
ia p
eplis
L.
- -
- -
- -
- +
- -
CO
SM.
F
abac
eae
14
Alh
agi g
raec
orum
Boi
ss.
- -
+ +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
-TR
A
stra
galu
s ast
eria
s Ste
ven
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+SA
–SI
Ast
raga
lus h
amos
us L
. -
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+I
R–T
R
Hip
pocr
epis
cyc
loca
rpa
Mur
b.
- -
- +
- -
- +
- -
MED
H
ymen
ocar
pos c
irci
nnat
us (L
.) Sa
vi
+ -
- -
- -
- +
- -
MED
La
thyr
us m
arm
orat
us B
oiss
& B
lanc
he
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
La
thyr
us sa
tivus
L.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+SA
–SI
Lotu
s cre
ticus
L.
- +
- -
- -
- -
+ -
MED
Lo
tus h
alop
hilu
s Boi
ss. &
Spr
uner
. -
- -
- -
- -
+ -
- M
ED
Med
icag
o po
lym
orph
a L
. -
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- C
OSM
. M
edic
ago
sativ
a L
. -
- +
+ -
- -
- -
- SA
-SI+
IR-T
R
Med
icag
o tr
unct
ula
Gae
rtn.
-
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED
Mel
ilotu
s ind
icus
(L.)
All.
-
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- PA
L O
nobr
ychi
s cri
sta-
galli
(L.)
Lam
. -
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED
F
abac
eae
Ono
nis s
erra
ta F
orss
k.
- -
- -
- -
- -
+ -
MED
+SA
–SI
Scor
piur
us m
uric
atus
L.
- -
- +
- -
- -
+ -
MED
Tr
ifoliu
m to
men
tosu
m L
. -
+ -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+I
R-T
R+E
R-S
R
Trig
onel
la h
amos
a L
. -
- +
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+
SA-S
I Tr
igon
ella
mar
itim
a Po
ir.
- -
+ +
- -
- -
- -
MED
Tr
igon
ella
stel
lata
For
ssk.
+
+ -
+ -
- -
- -
- SA
–SI+
IR–T
R
Vic
ia m
onan
tha
Ret
z -
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+I
R-T
R
Vic
ia sa
tiva
L.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
–TR
+ER
–SR
G
eran
iace
ae 1
E
rodi
um c
rass
ifoliu
m L
’ Hér
. +
- -
+ -
- -
- -
+ SA
-SI
M
arru
bium
aly
sson
L.
- +
- -
- -
- -
- -
MED
+SA
–SI
Mic
rom
eria
ner
vosa
(Des
f.) B
enth
. +
+ +
- +
- -
- +
- M
ED
Tab
le 1
. co
nti
nued
.
Flora Mediterranea 25 — 2015 65
La
mia
ceae
7
Phlo
mis
floc
cosa
D. D
on
- +
+ -
+ -
+ +
+ +
MED
+SA
–SI
Pras
ium
maj
us L
. -
+ -
- +
- -
- -
- M
ED
Salv
ia a
egyp
tiaca
L.
- +
- -
- -
- -
- -
SA–S
I+S–
Z Sa
lvia
lani
gera
Poi
r.
- +
- -
- -
- -
- +
MED
+ SA
-SI
Salv
ia v
erbe
naca
L.
+ +
- -
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
–TR
+ER
–SR
Te
ucri
um p
oliu
m L
. -
- -
- -
- -
+ -
+ M
ED+I
R–T
R
Thym
us c
apita
tus (
L.)
Lin
k -
+ +
- -
- -
- +
+ M
ED
M
alva
ceae
1
Mal
va a
egyp
tia L
. -
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+
SA-S
I M
alva
par
viflo
ra L
. -
+ -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED
Mal
va sy
lves
tris
L.
- -
+ +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
-TR
O
leac
eae
1
Ole
a eu
ropa
ea L
. -
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- G
C+S
+SA
+ SA
–SI
Oro
banc
hace
ae
2 C
ista
nche
tubu
losa
(Sch
enk)
Hoo
k. f.
-
- +
- -
- -
- -
- M
ED+S
A–S
I O
roba
nche
schu
ltzii
Mut
el.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
Papa
vera
ceae
2
Papa
ver h
ybri
dum
L.
+ +
- -
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
–TR
+ER
–SR
Pa
pave
r rho
eas L
. -
- +
- -
- -
- -
- M
ED
Roe
mer
ia h
ybri
da (L
.) D
C.
- -
+ -
- -
- -
+ -
MED
+IR
–TR
+ER
–SR
Plan
tagi
nace
ae
1
Plan
tago
alb
ican
s L.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
Pl
anta
go c
ryps
oide
s Boi
ss.
- -
+ +
- -
- -
- -
MED
Pl
anta
go o
vata
For
ssk.
+
- -
- -
- -
- +
- SA
–SI+
IR–T
R
Pl
umba
gina
ceae
1
Lim
oniu
m lo
batu
m (L
.f.) C
haz.
+
+ +
- -
- -
+ -
- M
ED+S
A–S
I Li
mon
ium
pru
inos
um (L
.) C
haz.
-
- +
- -
+ -
- -
+ SA
–SI
Lim
oniu
m tu
biflo
rum
(Del
ile) K
untz
e -
- -
- -
- -
- -
+ M
ED
Poac
eae
2 20
Poac
eae
Aeg
ilops
bic
orni
s (Fo
rssk
.) Ja
ub. &
Spa
ch
+ -
- -
- -
- -
- -
MED
+ SA
-SI
Aeg
ilops
kot
schy
i Boi
ss.
- -
+ +
- -
- -
- +
SA-S
I + IR
-TR
A
vena
fatu
a L
. -
+ -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+S
A–S
I+IR
–TR
A
vena
ster
ilis L
. -
- +
- -
- -
- -
+ M
ED+I
R-T
R
Bra
chyp
odiu
m d
ista
chyu
m (L
.) P.
Bea
uv.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
–TR
+ER
-SR
B
rom
us c
atha
rtic
us V
ahl.
+ -
- +
- -
- -
- +
MED
+SA
–SI+
IR–T
R
Bro
mus
rube
ns L
. -
+ +
- -
- -
+ -
+ M
ED+S
A–S
I+IR
–TR
C
utan
dia
dich
otom
a (F
orss
k.) B
att.
& T
rab.
-
- -
+ -
- -
- -
+ M
ED+S
A–S
I+IR
–TR
C
utan
dia
mem
phiti
ca (S
pren
g.) B
enth
. -
- -
+ -
- -
- +
- M
ED+I
R-T
R
Cyn
odon
dac
tylo
n (L
.) Pe
rs.
- +
+ +
- -
- -
- -
PAN
D
acty
lis g
lom
erat
a L
. -
+ -
- -
- -
- -
+ M
ED
Dic
hant
hium
ann
ulat
um (F
orss
k.)
Stap
f -
+ -
- -
- -
- -
- C
OSM
. H
orde
um m
urin
um su
bsp.
lepo
rinu
m (L
ink.
) Arc
ang.
-
+ +
+ -
- -
+ -
+ M
ED+I
R-T
R
Hyp
arrh
enia
hir
ta (L
.) St
apf
- -
- -
- +
- -
- -
MED
+SA
–SI+
IR–T
R
Tab
le 1
. co
nti
nued
.
66 Osman & El Garf: Studies on the shallow wadies of the Mareotis sector of the ...
Lam
arck
ia a
urea
(L.)
Moe
nch
+ +
- -
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
–TR
Lo
lium
per
enne
L.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- -
CO
SM.
Lyge
um sp
artu
m L
oefl.
ex
L.
- -
- -
- -
- -
- +
MED
O
ryzo
psis
mili
acea
(L.)
Asc
h. &
Sch
wei
nf.
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- -
MED
Pa
raph
olis
incu
rva
(L.)
C.E
. Hub
b +
+ -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+I
R–T
R+E
R–S
R
Phal
aris
min
or R
etz.
-
+ +
+ -
- -
+ +
- M
ED+I
R-T
R
Ros
trar
ia c
rist
ata
(L.)
Tzv
elev
-
- -
- +
- -
- -
- M
ED+
SA-S
I R
ostr
aria
pum
ila (D
esf.)
Tzv
elev
-
- +
- -
+ -
- -
- M
ED+
SA-S
I Sc
hism
us b
arba
tus (
L.)
The
ll.
+ +
- -
- -
- +
- -
MED
+SA
–SI+
IR–T
R
Stip
a ca
pens
is T
hunb
. +
- -
- -
- -
- +
+ M
ED+I
R–T
R
Stip
a la
gasc
ae R
oem
. & S
chul
t. -
- -
- -
- -
- -
+ M
ED+I
R–T
R
Stip
a pa
rvifl
ora
Des
f. -
- -
- -
- -
- +
- M
ED+I
R–T
R
Vul
pia
fasc
icul
ata
(For
ssk.
) Sam
p.
+ -
- -
- -
- -
- -
MED
Poly
gona
ceae
4
Em
ex sp
inos
a (L
.) C
ampd
. +
- +
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED
Poly
gonu
m e
quis
etifo
rme
Sm.
+ +
+ +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+IR
–TR
Po
lypo
gon
mon
spel
iens
is (L
.) D
esf.
- -
+ +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+SA
–SI+
IR–T
R
Rum
ex v
esic
ariu
s L.
- -
+ +
- -
- -
- -
MED
+ SA
-SI
Ran
uncu
lace
ae 1
A
doni
s den
tata
Del
ile
- -
- +
- -
- +
+ -
MED
+SA
–SI+
IR-T
R
Res
edac
eae
1
Res
eda
phyt
eum
a L
. +
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED
Ros
acea
e 1
Sa
ngui
sorb
a m
inor
subs
p. v
erru
cosa
(G. D
on) H
olm
. -
+ -
- -
- -
- -
- M
ED
Rub
iace
ae
2 C
ruci
anel
la a
egyp
tiaca
L.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- +
MED
V
alan
tia h
ispi
da L
. +
+ -
- +
- -
+ -
- M
ED
Scro
phul
aria
ceae
2
Kic
kxia
aeg
yptia
ca (L
.) N
ábel
ek
- +
- -
- -
- -
- -
SA–S
I V
erba
scum
leto
urne
uxii
Asc
h. &
Sch
wei
nf.
- +
- -
- -
- -
- -
MED
So
lana
ceae
2
Lyci
um e
urop
aeum
L.
- +
+ -
- +
+ +
+ -
MED
So
lanu
m n
igru
m L
. -
- -
+ -
- -
- -
- C
OSM
. Ta
mar
icac
eae
1
Rea
umur
ia h
irte
lla J
aub.
& S
pach
-
- -
+ -
- -
- -
+ SA
–SI+
IR–T
R
Thym
elae
acea
e 1
Thym
elae
a hi
rsut
a (L
.) E
ndl.
+ +
+ -
- -
- +
+ -
MED
+ SA
-SI
Ver
bena
ceae
1
Ver
bena
supi
na L
. -
+ -
+ -
- -
- -
- M
ED+S
A–S
I+IR
–TR
Zy
goph
ylla
ceae
2
Fag
onia
cre
tica
L.
- -
- +
- -
- -
- +
MED
Pe
ganu
m h
arm
ala
L.
+ +
- -
- -
- -
- -
MED
+SA
–SI+
IR–T
R
Fam
ilies
= 4
2 N
umbe
r of
Spe
cies
= 1
95
4764
63
97
10
15
14
43
43
46
Num
ber
of g
ener
a =
145
4715
7 34
92
Tab
le 1
. co
nti
nued
.
Scrozonera undulata, Biscutella didyma, Herniaria hirsuta, Euphorbia forsskaolii, E.
hierosolymitana, E. peplis, Lotus halophilus, Ononis serrate, Teucrium polium, Limoniumtubiflorum, Lygeum spartum, Stipa lagascae and S. parviflora.
The Wadi bed of the upper stream part (b1) had 64 taxa. Nine taxa were confined to this
sector viz. Daucus syrticus, Eryngium campestre, Spergularia marina, Marrubiumalysson, Salvia aegyptiaca, Dichanthium annulatum, Sanguisorba minor subsp. verrucosa,
Kickxia aegyptiaca and Verbascum letourneuxii. The Wadi bed of the middle and the lower
stream part (b2, b3) including the mouth had the highest number of the recorded species
which were 131 (about 66.8 %) species. Forty seven species were only recorded from this
sector, most of which are weeds of cultivation. Among those to mention, Amaranthus grae-cizans, Sonchus oleraceous, Sisymbrium irio, Cyperus rotundus, Cressa cretica, Melilotusindicus, Vicia sativa and Polypogon monspliensis.
From a phytogeographical point of view, the recorded species in the different sectors of
Wadi Hashem fall under three main phytochoria: Mediterranean taxa, Saharo-Sindian taxa
and widely spread taxa. One species only (Olea europaea) is belonged to Guineo-Congolian
region combined with other phytochoria (Table 2). A total of 161 species representing 82.1%
of the total number of recorded species is Mediterranean taxa of different affinities. Among
these, 68 species forming 34.7% of the total number of recorded species are typical
Flora Mediterranea 25 — 2015 67
Phytochoria Number of
species Percentage
(%) Monoregional ME 67 34.36 SA-SI 7 3.59 Total 74 37.95 Biregionals ME + SA-SI 25 12.82 ME + IR-TR 41 21.02 ME + ER-SR 1 0.51 SA-SI + IR-TR 11 5.64 SA-SI + S-Z 2 1.02 Total 80 41.02 Pleuriregionals ME + SA-SI + IR-TR 14 7.18 ME+ IR-TR + ER-SR 11 5.64 ME + SA-SI + IR-TR + ER-SR 1 0.51 SA–SI + IR–TR + S–Z 1 0.51 GC+S+SA+SA-SI 1 0.51 Total 28 14.36 Cosm 8 4.10 Pal 3 1.54 Pan 2 1.02 Total 13 6.67
Table 2. The number of recorded species belonging to the main floristic categories
and their relevant percent (%) (abbreviations according to tab. 1).
Mediterranean species (monoregional) which are well represented in the different sectors of
the Wadi. The other 93 species (or 47.4 %) are bi- or pluriregional taxa, which are combined
with other phytochoria. Saharo-Sindian taxa are represented by less number of species (21
species or 10.7%) including seven monoregional species and fourteen are bi- or pluriregion-
al taxa. The widely spread taxa comprise 13 species, contributing to 6.6 % of the total num-
ber of recorded species (Figs. 3, 4). Most of these species are weeds of cultivation.
Discussion and conclusions
The present results indicate that in the Wadi Hashem area, 8 families only (Asteraceae,Poaceae, Fabaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Lamiaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Brassicaceae and
Apiaceae) contribute nearly two thirds of the total flora. These families represent most of the
floristic structure in the Mediterranean north African Flora (Quézel 1978). According to El-
Hadidi (1993), about 600 taxa are represented in the Mareotis sector of the Mediterranean
coastal land of Egypt. In Wadi Hashem area, the present survey records 195 species (about
one third of the 600 taxa). The number of genera is 146, indicating a high generic index of
1.3 (196/146). This in accordance with Zoharyʼs (1973) observation “that a striking feature
in Egypt’s flora is the large number of genera in proportion to that of species.
The distribution of the species in different sectors of the Wadi is shown in Table 1. Clearly
the downstream part had the highest number of species (157) representing about 80% of the
total. This can be related to the availability of adequate run-off water and accumulation of
fine soil material of considerable depths. Foeniculum vulgare subsp. piperitum (Ucria) Cout.
68 Osman & El Garf: Studies on the shallow wadies of the Mareotis sector of the ...
Fig. 3. Floristic category spectrum of Wady Hashem according to number of vegetarian regions.
Was recorded by Täckholm (1974) as very rare taxon from Nile delta and south Sinai. The
occurrence of this taxon in western Mediterranean coastal land was recorded by Hosni (1984)
based on a single collection from Wadi Habis, Wadi Um El Rukham and Osman & al. (2009)
from Wadi Abu Lamguor. Wadi Hashem is a less known natural habitat where dense growth
of Foeniculum vulgare ssp piperitum was encountered. The big size of the Wadi and the
thickness of the soil in the downstream part provides favorable conditions for the growth of
this rare taxon. Today the area is being subjected to rapid development due to increase in pop-
ulation pressure. Several dams have already been constructed by the native people across
lower stream part of the Wadi. The natural vegetation is being plowed under for the cultiva-
tion of Fig and Orchards. One can expect the destruction of the remaining natural protective
measures are taken. Mediterranean taxa (mono-, bi- and pluriregional) among Wadi Hashem
flora are represented by a relatively higher percentage (82.04%) of plant species as compared
with other floristic elements (Table 2). This attributed to the fact that the Mediterranean
species stand for more music environmental conditions (Salama & al. 2003). This was also
confirmed by El-Demerdash & al. (1990) for the eastern Mediterranean deltaic region, Khedr
(1999) for a Mediterranean deltaic lake and El Garf (2003) for Wadi Halazeen. The other
floristic elements such as cosmopolitan, pantropical, palaeotropical, Saharo-Sindian, Irano-
Turanian and Guineo-Congolian elements are represented by a variable number of species
reflecting their differential capability to penetrate the region.
Flora Mediterranea 25 — 2015 69
Fig. 4. Floristic category of Wadi Hashem: COSM. = Cosmopolitan, ER-SR. = Euro-Siberian, GC. =
Guineo-Congolian region, IR-TR. = Irano-Turanian, MED. = Mediterranean, PAL. = Paleotropical,
PAN. = Pantropical, SA. = SaharoArabian, SA-SI. = Saharo-Sindian, S. = Somalian, S-Z. = Sudano-
Zambesian.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to Dr. Arbi Guetat, Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Tunis,
Carthage University, Tunisia, for help during the writing of the present study and to Members of Cairo
University Herbarium, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt, for continuous help throughout the present study.
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Addresses of the authors:
Ahmed K. Osman1,2 & Ibrahim A. El Garf 3,1Biology Department, Science College, Northern Border University, Arar, KSA2Botany Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.3Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza-12613, Egypt.
Flora Mediterranea 25 — 2015 71