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Citrullus dimidiens, Citrullus nubica, Citrullus pseudocolocynthis, Colocynthis officinalis, Colocynthis officinarum, Colocynthis vulgaris, Cucumis bipinnatifidus, Cucumis colocynthis, Cucumis pseudocolocynthis, Cucurbita colocyntha
Bitter gourd, desert squash, Hadaj, handal, Handhal, murrah, shary
Citrullus colocynthis, commonly known as the colocynth, bitter apple, bitter cucumber, desert gourd, egusi, or vine of Sodom (Sanskrit: Gavakshi गवाक्षी, Indarvaruni इंद्रवारूणी), Tamil: பேய்க்கொம்மட்டி is a desert viny plant native to the Mediterranean Basin and Asia, especially Turkey (especially in regions such as İzmir), Nubia and Trieste. It resembles a common watermelon vine but bears small, hard fruits with a bitter pulp. It originally bore the scientific name Colocynthis citrullus, but is now classified as Citrullus colocynthis.
Citrullus colocynthis, also known as bitter apple or desert watermelon, is a vining plant native to Africa and Asia. In Qatar, it has been found growing wild in the country's arid regions, particularly in sandy dunes and coastal areas. Studies have reported its presence in various locations, including the Qatari deserts and near coastal sabkhas (salt flats). The plant is adapted to the harsh desert environment and can survive with minimal water. Its fruit is toxic and not edible, containing cucurbitacins that have been used in traditional medicine. In Qatar, Citrullus colocynthis has been documented as a component of the country's flora, contributing to its unique biodiversity.
Field of desert watermellons Citrullus colocynthis (Cucumis colocynthis, local names handal, shary, Handhal) near a road to Sawda Natheel in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014
سودا ناثيل, أم حوطة, الريان, قطر
Desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis (Cucumis colocynthis, local names handal, shary, Handhal) near a road to Sawda Natheel in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014سودا ناثيل, أم حوطة, الريان, قطر
Flower of desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis (Cucumis colocynthis, local names handal, shary, Handhal) near a road to Sawda Natheel in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014سودا ناثيل, أم حوطة, الريان, قطر
Desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apples, Cucumis colocynthis, local names handal, shary, Handhal) near a road to Sawda Natheel in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014سودا ناثيل, أم حوطة, الريان, قطر
Rotten last year bitter gourd (Citrullus colocynthis, local names handal, shary, Handhal) on a roadside of Abu Samra Road in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014طريق سلوى، Qatar
Field of rotten desert gourd (Citrullus colocynthis, local names handal, shary, Handhal) on a roadside of Abu Samra Road in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014طريق سلوى، Qatar
Leaves of desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apples, Cucumis colocynthis, local names handal, shary, Handhal) on roadside of Salwa Road near Karaana, south-west from Doha. Qatar, April 23, 2014Salwa Road, Al-Kiranah, Qatar
Shoot of desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apples, Cucumis colocynthis, local names handal, shary, Handhal) on roadside of Salwa Road near Karaana, south-west from Doha. Qatar, April 23, 2014Salwa Road, Al-Kiranah, Qatar
Fruit of desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apples, Cucumis colocynthis, local names handal, shary, Handhal) near Karaana (Karana, Al Kiranah), south-west from Doha. Qatar, April 23, 2014Salwa Rd, Qatar
Blooming desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis (local names handal, shary, Handhal) at entrance of Ras Abrouq Peninsula near Zekreet. Qatar, November 14, 2014Dukhan Highway, Qatar
Flower of desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis (local names handal, shary, Handhal) at entrance of Ras Abrouq Peninsula near Zekreet. Qatar, November 14, 2014Dukhan Highway, Qatar
Flower of desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis taken from roadside of Salwa Road. Southern Qatar, November 29, 2014Salwa Road, Qatar
Desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis (Cucumis colocynthis) taken from area of Al Khor. Qatar, December 5, 2014Al Khor Coastal Rd, Qatar
Fruit of desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apples) taken from a road to Al Jumayliyah in north-western Qatar, December 6, 2014
Dissected fruits of desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apples) taken from a road to Al Jumayliyah in north-western Qatar, December 6, 2014
Seeds of desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apples) taken from a road to Al Jumayliyah in north-western Qatar, December 6, 2014
Desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis at the entrance of Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, December 12, 2014Unnamed Road, Al Nu`man, Qatar
Watermelon like fruits of desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis at the entrance of Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, December 12, 2014Unnamed Road, Al Nu`man, Qatar
Desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis with fruits at the entrance of Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, December 12, 2014Unnamed Road, Al Nu`man, Qatar
Fruits of desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis at the entrance of Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, December 12, 2014Unnamed Road, Al Nu`man, Qatar
Desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis in sandy depression at the entrance of Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, December 12, 2014Unnamed Road, Al Nu`man, Qatar
Field of desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis in a depression at the entrance of Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, December 12, 2014Unnamed Road, Al Nu`man, Qatar
Large vine of desert gourd (Citrullus colocynthis) growing over a bush of Ziziphus nummularia in a silty depression near Al Nuaman (Numan) in north-western Qatar, December 12, 2014Ash Shamal, Qatar
Field of desert gourd (Citrullus colocynthis) near Al Nuaman (Numan) in north-western Qatar, December 12, 2014Ash Shamal, Qatar
Large plant of desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis on a Ziziphus bush in a silty depression in Al Numan (Naim tribe, Nuaman, Nuaimiya). Northern Qatar, February 6, 2015Ash Shamal, Qatar
Desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis in a silty depression in Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015Ash Shamal, Qatar
Desert gourd Citrullus colocynthis (Cucumis colocynthis, local names handal, shary, Handhal) in a silty depression in Al Nuaman (Naim tribe, Nuaimiya) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, March 28, 2015Ash Shamal, Qatar
Seedling of bitter gourd (Citrullus colocynthis) on roadside of a road to Umm Hota Village, near Sawda Natheel. Southern Qatar, February 5, 2016Unnamed Road, QatarThe plant Citrullus colocynthis was observed in various locations throughout Qatar from February 2014 to February 2016. The observations were made in southern, southwestern, and northern regions of the country. The plant was found growing in fields, along roadsides, and in sandy depressions. Various parts of the plant were observed, including flowers, fruits, leaves, and seeds. The plant was often associated with other vegetation, such as Ziziphus bushes. The observations suggest that Citrullus colocynthis is a common and widespread species in Qatar, able to grow in different environments and conditions. The local names for the plant include "handal", "shary", and "Handhal", and it is also known as "desert gourd" or "bitter apples". Overall, the observations provide valuable information on the distribution and growth habits of Citrullus colocynthis in Qatar.
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