Home PagePicture ArchivesFlora of QatarCaryophyllaceaeSilene arabica

Silene arabica Boiss.

Synonyms

Silene affinis, Silene nabathaea

Common names

Arabian catchfly, terba

AI-generated description

Silene arabica is a perennial herb native to the Middle East and North Africa. In Qatar, it has been found to grow in sandy soils and rocky areas, typically blooming from February to May. The plant produces white or pink flowers and has hairy, lance-shaped leaves. Studies in Qatar have reported Silene arabica as a common species in the country's flora, often associated with other desert plants such as Zygophyllum and Lycium. Its presence in Qatar highlights the country's unique biodiversity despite its arid environment.

Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) near Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, April 3, 2014
LinkSilene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) near Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, April 3, 2014
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Fuwayriţ, Qatar
Flowers of Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) near Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, April 3, 2014
LinkFlowers of Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) near Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, April 3, 2014
Location on mapsAsh Shamal, Qatar
Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) in area of Jabal Al Jassasiya, on north-eastern coast. Qatar, February 12, 2016
LinkSilene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) in area of Jabal Al Jassasiya, on north-eastern coast. Qatar, February 12, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) on white background in area of Jabal Al Jassasiya, on north-eastern coast. Qatar, February 12, 2016
LinkSilene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) on white background in area of Jabal Al Jassasiya, on north-eastern coast. Qatar, February 12, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Flowers of Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) in area of Jabal Al Jassasiya, on north-eastern coast. Qatar, February 12, 2016
LinkFlowers of Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) in area of Jabal Al Jassasiya, on north-eastern coast. Qatar, February 12, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Blooming Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) in area of Jabal Al Jassasiya, on north-eastern coast. Qatar, February 12, 2016
LinkBlooming Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) in area of Jabal Al Jassasiya, on north-eastern coast. Qatar, February 12, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) on a plane of Rawdat Jarra north-east from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkSilene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) on a plane of Rawdat Jarra north-east from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Flower of Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) on a plane of Rawdat Jarra north-east from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkFlower of Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) on a plane of Rawdat Jarra north-east from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Inflorescence of Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) on a plane of Rawdat Jarra north-east from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkInflorescence of Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) on a plane of Rawdat Jarra north-east from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Plant of Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) on a plane of Rawdat Jarra north-east from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkPlant of Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) on a plane of Rawdat Jarra north-east from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) south from Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 19, 2016
LinkSilene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) south from Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 19, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Fuwayriţ, Qatar
Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) south from Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 19, 2016
LinkSilene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) south from Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 19, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Fuwayriţ, Qatar
Flowers of Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) south from Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 19, 2016
LinkFlowers of Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) south from Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 19, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Fuwayriţ, Qatar
Blooming Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) south from Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 19, 2016
LinkBlooming Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) south from Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 19, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Fuwayriţ, Qatar
Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) with flowers south from Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 19, 2016
LinkSilene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) with flowers south from Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 19, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Fuwayriţ, Qatar
Silene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) in bloom south from Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 19, 2016
LinkSilene arabica (Silene affinis, local name terba) in bloom south from Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 19, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Fuwayriţ, Qatar

AI-generated summary of observations

Observations of Silene arabica in Qatar revealed that the plant can be found in various locations, including near Fuwairit, Jabal Al Jassasiya, and Rawdat Jarra. The plant was observed to bloom in February and March, with white flowers. In northern Qatar, it was found south from Fuwairit and near the coast. The plant's inflorescence and flowers were also observed in detail. Silene arabica was found to grow on planes and in areas with rocky terrain. The local name for the plant is "terba". Overall, the observations suggest that Silene arabica is a common plant species in Qatar, found in various habitats and blooming during the winter months. Its distribution and flowering patterns were documented through photographs taken in different locations.

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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.