Home Page > Picture Archives > > Fabaceae > Lotus halophilus
Lotus pusillus, Lotus villosus
Garn al ghazal, Gazelle's horn, Greater bird's foot trefoil, harbeth, quroon al ghazal
Lotus halophilus is a perennial legume that thrives in saline environments. In Qatar, it has been found to grow in coastal areas, salt flats, and sabkhas (salt flats), tolerating high soil salinity. Studies have shown that L. halophilus plays a crucial role in stabilizing soil and providing habitat for local wildlife in these harsh environments. Its presence in Qatar's coastal ecosystems highlights the country's unique biodiversity and the adaptability of plant species to extreme conditions.
Desert plant with long pods of Greater bird's foot trefoil (Lotus halophilus, Lotus villosus, Lotus pusillis, local names garn al ghazal, harbeth, quroon al ghazal) in sand near a road to Saudi Arabia in southern Qatar, February 11, 2014
طريق سلوى، Qatar
Greater bird's foot trefoil (Lotus halophilus, Lotus villosus) near Dukhan Road. Western Qatar, March 1, 2014Garafat Al Rayyan and Dukhan Highway, Qatar
Seeds of greater bird's foot trefoil (Lotus halophilus, Lotus villosus) near Dukhan Road. Western Qatar, March 1, 2014Garafat Al Rayyan and Dukhan Highway, Qatar
Greater bird's foot trefoil (Lotus halophilus, Lotus villosus) near Dukhan Road. Western Qatar, March 1, 2014Garafat Al Rayyan and Dukhan Highway, Qatar
Flowers of greater bird's foot trefoil (Lotus halophilus, Lotus villosus) near Dukhan Road. Western Qatar, March 1, 2014Garafat Al Rayyan and Dukhan Highway, Qatar
Greater bird's foot trefoil (Lotus halophilus, Lotus villosus) with flowers and seeds near Dukhan Road. Western Qatar, March 1, 2014Garafat Al Rayyan and Dukhan Highway, Qatar
Greater bird's foot trefoil (Lotus halophilus, Lotus villosus) in sand near Dukhan Road. Western Qatar, March 1, 2014Garafat Al Rayyan and Dukhan Highway, Qatar
Greater bird's foot trefoil (Lotus halophilus, Lotus villosus) with flowers in sand near Dukhan Road. Western Qatar, March 1, 2014Garafat Al Rayyan and Dukhan Highway, Qatar
Greater bird's foot trefoil (Lotus halophilus, Lotus villosus) on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, January 29, 2016Observations of Lotus halophilus in Qatar reveal that it is a desert plant with long pods, commonly found in sandy areas near roads, such as the road to Saudi Arabia and Dukhan Road in western Qatar. The plant produces seeds and flowers, which were observed in March 2014 near Dukhan Road. It was also spotted on rocky ridges, like Jebel Fuwairit in northern Qatar, in January 2016. The plant is known locally as garn al ghazal, harbeth, or quroon al ghazal. In western Qatar, it was observed growing in sand with flowers and seeds, while in northern Qatar, it was found on a rocky ridge. The observations took place over two years, from 2014 to 2016, and provide insight into the plant's growth habits and distribution in Qatar's desert environment.
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QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.