Lotus garcinii with fruits on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, December 12, 2014Aspalathus persica, Lotus shariffi, Lotus stocksii, Ononis aucheri
Louts
Found on limestone cliffs in Fuwairit. In Maszhabiya near Abu Samra it was seen in scattered locations in April of 2016 as seedlings, but they disappear in May.
Lotus garcinii is a perennial legume native to the Middle East and North Africa. In Qatar, it has been found to grow in coastal and inland areas, often in sandy or saline soils. Studies have shown that L. garcinii is a common species in Qatari flora, particularly in the country's northern regions. It is valued for its drought tolerance and potential use in land rehabilitation and desertification control efforts. However, more research is needed to fully understand its ecological role and conservation status in Qatar.
Shoot of Lotus garcinii with flowers on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, December 12, 2014
Close up of flowers of Lotus garcinii on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, December 12, 2014
Shoot of Lotus garcinii with cuttlebone background on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, December 12, 2014
Habitat of Lotus garcinii (the plant is located in a bonfire pit, at the foot of the cliff) on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, December 12, 2014
Dry fruits of Lotus garcinii under the plant on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, December 12, 2014
Stem and leaves of Lotus garcinii on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, December 12, 2014
Flowers and fruits of Lotus garcinii taken from a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit in northern Qatar, December 12, 2014
Plant of Lotus garcinii growing in bonfire pit on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, December 19, 2014
Flowers and fruits of Lotus garcinii on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, December 19, 2014
Dry flowers and fruits of Lotus garcinii on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, December 19, 2014
Close up of a flower of Lotus garcinii on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, December 19, 2014
Close up of flowers and fruits of Lotus garcinii under a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Blooming plant of Lotus garcinii under a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Shoot of Lotus garcinii with white background on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Branching shoot of Lotus garcinii on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Plant of Lotus garcinii under cliffs on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Bush of Lotus garcinii under cliffs on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Growth of Lotus garcinii under cliffs on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Flowers on a bush of Lotus garcinii under cliffs on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Blooming bush of Lotus garcinii under cliffs on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Small plant of Lotus garcinii under cliffs on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Small plant of Lotus garcinii on cliffs on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Branching shoots of Lotus garcinii on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Branching shoots of Lotus garcinii with flowers on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Close up of flowers of Lotus garcinii on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Close up of shoots of Lotus garcinii on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Spreading shoots of Lotus garcinii on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 20, 2015
Blooming Lotus garcinii under cliffs on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, April 17, 2015
Shoots of Lotus garcinii under cliffs on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, April 17, 2015
Bush of Lotus garcinii on limestone on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 12, 2016
Small plant of Lotus garcinii in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, April 1, 2016
Small plant of Lotus garcinii on windblown sand in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, April 1, 2016
Plant of Lotus garcinii on sand dunes in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, April 8, 2016The plant Lotus garcinii was observed multiple times in Qatar from December 2014 to April 2016. Most observations were made on the rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit in Northern Qatar, where the plant grew in a variety of conditions, including rocky outcrops, bonfire pits, and sandy areas. The plant was found to produce flowers and fruits throughout the winter and early spring months. Some observations were also made in Southern Qatar, specifically in the Maszhabiya Reserve near Abu Samra, where the plant grew on sand dunes and windblown sand. Overall, the observations suggest that Lotus garcinii is a hardy and adaptable plant that can thrive in a range of environments in Qatar. The frequent observations over multiple years also provide valuable information on the plant's growth habits and phenology.
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