Home PagePicture ArchivesFlora of QatarPolygonaceaeEmex spinosa

Emex spinosa (L.) Campd.

Synonyms

Centopodium spinosum, Rumex glaber, Rumex spinosus, Vibo spinosa

Common names

DHers al ajooz, hambaz, hanzab, Prickly Dock

Extract from Wikipedia article

Emex spinosa, commonly known as "devil's thorn" is an annual herbaceous plant of the Polygonaceae. It originates in the warmer parts of the old world, but now has spread with man to other places. It is common in disturbed areas, aspecially in sandy soils. It has shown some weedy behaviour in restricted areas within southern Australia.

AI-generated Description

Emex spinosa, also known as devil's thorn or three-cornered jack, is a annual herb native to Africa and Asia. In Qatar, it has been naturalized and is considered an invasive species. It is characterized by its triangular seeds with sharp spines, which can cause injury to humans and animals. Studies in Qatar have reported Emex spinosa as a common weed in urban areas, roadsides, and disturbed habitats, particularly in the northern regions of the country. Its presence has been linked to human activities such as construction and land disturbance, highlighting the need for management strategies to control its spread and mitigate potential environmental impacts.

Prickly Dock (Emex spinosa, Rumex spinosus, local names drs al ajooz, hanzab) on a roadside in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014
LinkPrickly Dock (Emex spinosa, Rumex spinosus, local names drs al ajooz, hanzab) on a roadside in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014
Location on mapsسودا ناثيل, أم حوطة, الريان, قطر
Prickly Dock (Emex spinosa, Rumex spinosus, local names drs al ajooz, hanzab) in sand on a roadside in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014
LinkPrickly Dock (Emex spinosa, Rumex spinosus, local names drs al ajooz, hanzab) in sand on a roadside in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014
Location on mapsطريق سلوى، Qatar
Prickly Dock (Emex spinosa, Rumex spinosus, local names drs al ajooz, hanzab) in sand near Trainah in southern Qatar, February 14, 2014
LinkPrickly Dock (Emex spinosa, Rumex spinosus, local names drs al ajooz, hanzab) in sand near Trainah in southern Qatar, February 14, 2014
Location on mapsخط الوكير، Qatar
Prickly Dock (Emex spinosa, Rumex spinosus, local names drs al ajooz, hanzab) on roadside of Salwa Road in south-western Qatar, February 21, 2014
LinkPrickly Dock (Emex spinosa, Rumex spinosus, local names drs al ajooz, hanzab) on roadside of Salwa Road in south-western Qatar, February 21, 2014
Location on mapsSalwa Rd, Abū Nakẖlah, Qatar
Flowers of Prickly Dock (Emex spinosa) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms. Qatar, January 16, 2015
LinkFlowers of Prickly Dock (Emex spinosa) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms. Qatar, January 16, 2015
Location on mapsSalwa Road, Qatar
Female flowers of Prickly Dock (Emex spinosa) with three thorns on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms. Qatar, January 16, 2015
LinkFemale flowers of Prickly Dock (Emex spinosa) with three thorns on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms. Qatar, January 16, 2015
Location on mapsSalwa Road, Qatar
Seedlings of prickly dock (Emex spinosa) in roadside depression of Dukhan Highway. Qatar, January 15, 2016
LinkSeedlings of prickly dock (Emex spinosa) in roadside depression of Dukhan Highway. Qatar, January 15, 2016
Location on mapsDukhan Hwy, Qatar
Seedlings of Prickly Dock (Emex spinosa) on a roadside near Zubara. North-western Qatar, January 16, 2016
LinkSeedlings of Prickly Dock (Emex spinosa) on a roadside near Zubara. North-western Qatar, January 16, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Seedling of prickly Dock (Emex spinosa) extracted from sand on a plane of Rawdat Jarra north-east from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkSeedling of prickly Dock (Emex spinosa) extracted from sand on a plane of Rawdat Jarra north-east from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Seedlings of prickly Dock (Emex spinosa) in sand on a plane of Rawdat Jarra north-east from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkSeedlings of prickly Dock (Emex spinosa) in sand on a plane of Rawdat Jarra north-east from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Small plant of prickly dock (Emex spinosa, Rumex spinosus, local names drs al ajooz, hanzab) in windblown sand on roadside of Salwa Road in area of Khashem Al Nekhsh. Southern Qatar, March 18, 2016
LinkSmall plant of prickly dock (Emex spinosa, Rumex spinosus, local names drs al ajooz, hanzab) in windblown sand on roadside of Salwa Road in area of Khashem Al Nekhsh. Southern Qatar, March 18, 2016
Location on mapsSalwa Rd, Qatar

AI-generated summary of observations

Prickly Dock (Emex spinosa) was observed growing on roadsides and in sandy areas throughout southern and western Qatar. It was found in various locations, including near Trainah, on Salwa Road, and near Zubara, between February 2014 and March 2016. The plant was seen in different stages of growth, from seedlings to mature plants with flowers. In some areas, such as Irkhaya Farms, it was growing in soil irrigated by center-pivot irrigation systems. The seedlings were often found in roadside depressions or on planes of sand, suggesting that they can thrive in a variety of environments. Local names for the plant include "drs al ajooz" and "hanzab". Female flowers with three thorns were also observed, indicating the plant's ability to produce seeds and propagate.

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Acknowledgements

QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.