Home PagePicture ArchivesFlora of QatarAsteraceaeLaunaea capitata

Launaea capitata (Spreng.) Dandy

Synonyms

Chondrilla capitata, Launaea glomerata, Lomatolepis glomerata, Microrhynchus glomeratus, Sonchus capitatus, Sonchus mareoticus, Zollikoferia glomerata

Common names

Hazan, huwa

AI-generated Description

Launaea capitata, also known as Hawk's-beard, is an annual or biennial herb native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. In Qatar, it has been found to grow in a variety of habitats, including coastal areas, sandy plains, and rocky outcrops. Studies have reported its presence in several locations across the country, often associated with disturbed or overgrazed areas. The plant's adaptability to Qatar's arid environment suggests its potential as a useful species for rehabilitation and restoration efforts in degraded ecosystems.

Launaea capitata (local names huwa, hazan) on sand in area of Jebel Al-Nakhsh in south-western Qatar, February 7, 2014
LinkLaunaea capitata (local names huwa, hazan) on sand in area of Jebel Al-Nakhsh in south-western Qatar, February 7, 2014
Location on mapsطريق سلوى، Qatar
Blooming desert plant Launaea capitata (Launaea glomerata, Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in sand near a road to Sawda Natheel in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014
LinkBlooming desert plant Launaea capitata (Launaea glomerata, Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in sand near a road to Sawda Natheel in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014
Location on mapsالريان, قطر
Desert plant Launaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) near a road to Saudi Arabia in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014
LinkDesert plant Launaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) near a road to Saudi Arabia in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014
Location on mapsسودا ناثيل, أم حوطة, الريان, قطر
Rosette of leaves of a desert plant Launaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in sand near Trainah in southern Qatar, February 14, 2014
LinkRosette of leaves of a desert plant Launaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in sand near Trainah in southern Qatar, February 14, 2014
Location on mapsخط الوكير، Qatar
Flowers of Launaea capitata (Launaea glomerata, Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in sand near Trainah in southern Qatar, February 14, 2014
LinkFlowers of Launaea capitata (Launaea glomerata, Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in sand near Trainah in southern Qatar, February 14, 2014
Location on mapsخط الوكير، Qatar
Flowers of Launaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in sand near Umm Bab in south-western Qatar, February 21, 2014
LinkFlowers of Launaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in sand near Umm Bab in south-western Qatar, February 21, 2014
Location on mapsسودا ناثيل, الريان, قطر
Rosette of leaves of Launaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in sand near Umm Bab in south-western Qatar, February 21, 2014
LinkRosette of leaves of Launaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in sand near Umm Bab in south-western Qatar, February 21, 2014
Location on mapsسودا ناثيل, الريان, قطر
Launaea capitata (Launaea glomerata, Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) on roadside of Salwa Road in south-western Qatar, February 21, 2014
LinkLaunaea capitata (Launaea glomerata, Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) on roadside of Salwa Road in south-western Qatar, February 21, 2014
Location on mapsطريق سلوى، Qatar
Flowers of Launaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in a depression on roadside of a road to Zubara, area of Al Magdah farms (Thaghab Al Majda). Qatar, February 28, 2014
LinkFlowers of Launaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in a depression on roadside of a road to Zubara, area of Al Magdah farms (Thaghab Al Majda). Qatar, February 28, 2014
Location on mapsAl Ghuwairiya HC St, Al-Ghuwayriyah, Qatar
Flowers of Launaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) near Dukhan Road. Western Qatar, March 1, 2014
LinkFlowers of Launaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) near Dukhan Road. Western Qatar, March 1, 2014
Location on mapsGarafat Al Rayyan and Dukhan Highway, Qatar
Blooming plant that could be Launaea capitata in sand near Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, April 3, 2014
LinkBlooming plant that could be Launaea capitata in sand near Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, April 3, 2014
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Fuwayriţ, Qatar
Launaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in area of Uwaynat Bin Husayn (Water Well) near Simaisma. Qatar, April 18, 2014
LinkLaunaea capitata (Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in area of Uwaynat Bin Husayn (Water Well) near Simaisma. Qatar, April 18, 2014
Location on mapsAl Khor Coastal Road, Qatar
Rosette of leaves of Launaea capitata on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, December 19, 2014
LinkRosette of leaves of Launaea capitata on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, December 19, 2014
Location on mapsFuwyrit Beach Road, Qatar
Launaea capitata (local names huwa, hazan) on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, January 31, 2015
LinkLaunaea capitata (local names huwa, hazan) on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, January 31, 2015
Location on mapsFuwyrit Beach Road, Qatar
Launaea capitata (local names huwa, hazan) with flower buds on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, January 31, 2015
LinkLaunaea capitata (local names huwa, hazan) with flower buds on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, January 31, 2015
Location on mapsFuwyrit Beach Road, Qatar
Launaea capitata (local names huwa, hazan) with a flower on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, January 31, 2015
LinkLaunaea capitata (local names huwa, hazan) with a flower on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, January 31, 2015
Location on mapsFuwyrit Beach Road, Qatar
Rosettes of leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
LinkRosettes of leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
Location on mapsBu Samra Rd, Qatar
Rosette of basal leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
LinkRosette of basal leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
Location on mapsBu Samra Rd, Qatar
Basal leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
LinkBasal leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
Location on mapsBu Samra Rd, Qatar
Close up of rosette of basal leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
LinkClose up of rosette of basal leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
Location on mapsBu Samra Rd, Qatar
Close up of basal leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
LinkClose up of basal leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
Location on mapsBu Samra Rd, Qatar
Rosette of basal leaves of Launaea capitata in sand near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
LinkRosette of basal leaves of Launaea capitata in sand near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
Location on mapsBu Samra Rd, Qatar
Launaea capitata with a flower on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
LinkLaunaea capitata with a flower on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
Location on mapsBu Samra Rd, Qatar
Basal rosette of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
LinkBasal rosette of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
Location on mapsBu Samra Rd, Qatar
Leaf rosette of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
LinkLeaf rosette of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
Location on mapsBu Samra Rd, Qatar
Flat rosettes of leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
LinkFlat rosettes of leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
Location on mapsBu Samra Rd, Qatar
Rosette of leaves of Launaea capitata with a flower on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
LinkRosette of leaves of Launaea capitata with a flower on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
Location on mapsBu Samra Rd, Qatar
Cluster of rosettes of leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
LinkCluster of rosettes of leaves of Launaea capitata on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
Location on mapsBu Samra Rd, Qatar
Rosettes of leaves of Launaea capitata with a flower on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
LinkRosettes of leaves of Launaea capitata with a flower on sand dunes near the spring in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, January 22, 2016
Location on mapsBu Samra Rd, Qatar
Flowers of Launaea capitata (Launaea glomerata, Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, February 9, 2016
LinkFlowers of Launaea capitata (Launaea glomerata, Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, February 9, 2016
Location on mapsFuwyrit Beach Rd, Qatar
Desert plant Launaea capitata (Launaea glomerata, Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) in windblown sand on roadside of Salwa Road in area of Khashem Al Nekhsh. Southern Qatar, March 18, 2016
LinkDesert plant Launaea capitata (Launaea glomerata, Zollikoferia glomerata, local names huwa, hazan) 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

The plant Launaea capitata was observed in various locations throughout Qatar from February 2014 to March 2016. The observations were made in southern, south-western, and northern regions of the country, including areas such as Jebel Al-Nakhsh, Sawda Natheel, Trainah, Umm Bab, and Maszhabiya Reserve. The plant was found growing on sand dunes, rocky ridges, and in windblown sand along roadsides. Flowers were observed from February to April, and rosettes of leaves were present year-round. Local names for the plant include "huwa" and "hazan". The observations suggest that Launaea capitata is a common and widespread species in Qatar, able to thrive in a variety of environments. The repeated sightings over several years provide valuable information on the plant's distribution, growth habits, and phenology in the region.

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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.