Home PagePicture ArchivesFlora of QatarPoaceaeOchthochloa compressa

Ochthochloa compressa (Forssk.) Hilu

Synonyms

Cynosurus ternatus, Eleusine arabica, Eleusine caespitosa, Eleusine compressa, Eleusine flagellifera, Eleusine stolonifera, Ochthochloa dactyloides, Panicum compressum

Common names

Hamrah, sineim, wire grass

AI-generated Description

Ochthochloa compressa is a grass species found in arid regions. In Qatar, it has been identified as a rare and localized plant, typically growing in sandy areas and saline depressions. It is adapted to the country's harsh desert conditions, with a low-growing habit and compressed culms that help conserve water. The plant's presence in Qatar highlights the country's unique biodiversity and the importance of conservation efforts to protect its fragile ecosystems.

Wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) on roadside of Khawzan Road. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkWire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) on roadside of Khawzan Road. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Spike of wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) on roadside of Khawzan Road. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkSpike of wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) on roadside of Khawzan Road. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Spikelets of wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) on roadside of Khawzan Road. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkSpikelets of wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) on roadside of Khawzan Road. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Close up of spikelets of wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) on roadside of Khawzan Road. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkClose up of spikelets of wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) on roadside of Khawzan Road. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Spikelets of wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) taken from roadside of Khawzan Road. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkSpikelets of wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) taken from roadside of Khawzan Road. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Spikelets of wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) taken from roadside of Khawzan Road. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkSpikelets of wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) taken from roadside of Khawzan Road. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) with spikes on roadside of Sawda Natheel Road. Southern Qatar, February 26, 2016
LinkWire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) with spikes on roadside of Sawda Natheel Road. Southern Qatar, February 26, 2016
Location on mapsسودا ناثيل, أم حوطة, الريان, قطر
Wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) beside Sawda Natheel Road. Southern Qatar, February 26, 2016
LinkWire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) beside Sawda Natheel Road. Southern Qatar, February 26, 2016
Location on mapsسودا ناثيل, أم حوطة, الريان, قطر
Wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) in sand on roadside of Sawda Natheel Road. Southern Qatar, February 26, 2016
LinkWire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) in sand on roadside of Sawda Natheel Road. Southern Qatar, February 26, 2016
Location on mapsسودا ناثيل, أم حوطة, الريان, قطر
Wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) on periphery of Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, March 5, 2016
LinkWire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) on periphery of Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, March 5, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Spikes of wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) on periphery of Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, March 5, 2016
LinkSpikes of wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) on periphery of Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, March 5, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Wire grass (Ochthochloa compressa, local name Hamrah) in windblown sand on roadside of Salwa Road in area of Khashem Al Nekhsh. Southern Qatar, March 18, 2016
LinkWire grass (Ochthochloa compressa, local name Hamrah) in windblown sand on roadside of Salwa Road in area of Khashem Al Nekhsh. Southern Qatar, March 18, 2016
Location on mapsSalwa Rd, Qatar
Wire grass (Ochthochloa compressa, local name Hamrah) with spikes in windblown sand on roadside of Salwa Road in area of Khashem Al Nekhsh. Southern Qatar, March 18, 2016
LinkWire grass (Ochthochloa compressa, local name Hamrah) with spikes in windblown sand on roadside of Salwa Road in area of Khashem Al Nekhsh. Southern Qatar, March 18, 2016
Location on mapsSalwa Rd, Qatar
Wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) in a roadside depression near Salwa Road. Qatar, April 22, 2016
LinkWire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) in a roadside depression near Salwa Road. Qatar, April 22, 2016
Location on mapsSalwa Rd, Qatar
Wire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) in a wadi near Salwa Road, near Mukaynis. Qatar, April 22, 2016
LinkWire grass Ochthochloa compressa (local name Hamrah) in a wadi near Salwa Road, near Mukaynis. Qatar, April 22, 2016
Location on mapsSalwa Rd, Qatar

AI-generated summary of observations

Ochthochloa compressa, also known as wire grass or Hamrah, was observed on various roadsides in Qatar, including Khawzan Road, Sawda Natheel Road, and Salwa Road. The plant was found growing in sand, windblown sand, and roadside depressions. Spikes and spikelets of the plant were visible, with some observations showing close-up views of these structures. The plant was also seen on the periphery of Green Circles, a center-pivot irrigation system in Irkhaya Farms. Observations took place over several months, from February to April 2016, in southern and south-western Qatar. The plant's local name, Hamrah, was consistently noted throughout the observations. Overall, Ochthochloa compressa appears to be a common sight in Qatar's roadside environments.

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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.