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Heliotropium angustifolium, Heliotropium chenopodioides, Heliotropium glaucophyllum, Heliotropium glaucum, Heliotropium lehmannianum, Heliotropium portulacoides, Heliotropium virens, Heliotropium xerophilinum
Ramram, Seaside Heliotrope
Heliotropium curassavicum is a species of heliotrope that is native to much of the Americas, from Canada to Argentina, and can be found on other continents as an introduced species. It is known by several common names, such as Seaside Heliotrope, Salt Heliotrope, Monkey Tail, Quail Plant and "Chinese parsley" (although this last name is also used for coriander. in Latin American Spanish it is known as cola de mico,cola de gama or rabo alacrán, and it is called kīpūkai in Hawaii. It thrives in salty soils, such as beach sand and alkali flats. This is a perennial herb which can take the form of a prostrate creeper along the ground to a somewhat erect shrub approaching 0.5 m (1.6 ft) in height. The stem and foliage are fleshy, with the leaves thick and oval or spade-shaped. The plentiful inflorescences are curled, coiling double rows of small bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is white with five rounded lobes and a purple or yellow throat. The fruit is a smooth nutlet.
Heliotropium curassavicum, also known as Sea Heliotrope, is a sprawling annual herb native to tropical and subtropical regions. In Qatar, it has been found growing in coastal areas, particularly on sandy beaches and salt flats. It is a halophyte, tolerant of high salt concentrations, and can thrive in environments with limited freshwater availability. The plant produces small, blue-purple flowers and has elliptical leaves. Its presence in Qatar indicates the country's role as a habitat for plants adapted to harsh, saline conditions.
Seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum, local name ramram) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms. South-western Qatar, March 29, 2014
Salwa Road, Qatar
Seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum, local name ramram) in a village of Al Mashrab in area of Ras Laffan Farms. Northern Qatar, October 6, 2014
Seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum, local name ramram) on a roadside in a village of Al Mashrab in area of Ras Laffan Farms. Northern Qatar, October 18, 2014Unnamed Road, Qatar
Shoot of Seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) in a village of Al Mashrab in area of Ras Laffan Farms. Northern Qatar, October 18, 2014Majlis Al Taawon Street, Doha, Qatar
Seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum, local name ramram) in a silty depression in Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, January 8, 2015Ash Shamal, Qatar
Prostrate plant of seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum, local name ramram) in a silty depression in Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, January 8, 2015Ash Shamal, Qatar
Seedling of seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum, local name ramram) in a silty depression in Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, January 8, 2015Ash Shamal, Qatar
Seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum, local name ramram) taken from a silty depression in Al Numan (Naim tribe, Nuaman, Nuaimiya). Northern Qatar, February 6, 2015
Flowers and seeds of seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum, local name ramram) taken from a silty depression in Al Numan (Naim tribe, Nuaman, Nuaimiya). Northern Qatar, February 6, 2015
Seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum, local name ramram) in a silty depression in Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015Ash Shamal, Qatar
Blooming seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum, local name ramram) in a silty depression in Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015Ash Shamal, Qatar
Plant of seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum, local name ramram) in a silty depression in Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015Ash Shamal, Qatar
Flowers of seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum, local name ramram) in a silty depression in Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015Ash Shamal, Qatar
Seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum, local name ramram) in a silty depression in Al Nuaman (Al Numan) near Zubara. Northern Qatar, April 17, 2015Unnamed Road, QatarThe plant Heliotropium curassavicum was observed in various locations in Qatar, including Green Circles in Irkhaya Farms, villages of Al Mashrab, and silty depressions in Al Nuaman near Zubara. It was found growing on roadsides, in irrigated areas, and in natural habitats. The plant was observed at different stages of growth, including seedlings, prostrate plants, and blooming plants with flowers and seeds. Observations were made over a period of several months, from March 2014 to April 2015, indicating that the plant can thrive in Qatar's climate throughout the year. The local name for the plant is "ramram", and it was found in both southern and northern parts of the country.
www.catalogueoflife.org
QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.