Home Page > Picture Archives > > Solanaceae > Withania somnifera
Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, sakaran, sim al ferakh, winter cherry
Withania somnifera, known commonly as ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, or winter cherry, is a plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family. Several other species in the genus Withania are morphologically similar. It is used as an herb in Ayurvedic medicine.
Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha, is a shrub-like herb native to India and Southeast Asia. In Qatar, it has been naturalized and can be found growing wild in arid regions. Studies have identified W. somnifera in Qatar's flora, with reports of its presence in areas such as the Jandi Temple region and other parts of the country. The plant is valued for its medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogenic effects. Local research has explored its potential uses in traditional medicine, highlighting its significance in Qatari ethnopharmacology.
Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on sidewalk in area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 4, 2015
Lusail Expressway, Doha, Qatar
Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) growing from cracks of sidewalk pavement in area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 4, 2015Lusail Expressway, Doha, Qatar
Seedling of ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) near a water pipe in area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 4, 2015Lusail Expressway, Doha, Qatar
Seedling of ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on sidewalk in area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 4, 2015Lusail Expressway, Doha, Qatar
Flowers and fruits of ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on sidewalk in area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 4, 2015Lusail Expressway, Doha, Qatar
Shoot of ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on sidewalk in area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 4, 2015Lusail Expressway, Doha, Qatar
Flowers of ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on sidewalk in area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 4, 2015Lusail Expressway, Doha, Qatar
Fruits of ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on sidewalk in area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 4, 2015Lusail Expressway, Doha, Qatar
Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on sidewalk in area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 4, 2015Lusail Expressway, Doha, Qatar
Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) with flowers on sidewalk in area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 4, 2015Lusail Expressway, Doha, Qatar
Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) taken from area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 4, 2015Al Kharais Street, Doha, Qatar
Unripe fruit of ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) taken from area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 4, 2015Al Kharais Street, Doha, Qatar
Opened unripe fruit of ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) taken from area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 4, 2015Al Kharais Street, Doha, Qatar
Dusty plant of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on sidewalk in area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 11, 2015
Red berries of ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) taken from area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2015Lusail Expressway, Doha, Qatar
Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) taken from sidewalk in area of Saha 3 Street in Onaiza area. Doha, Qatar, June 15, 2015
Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on Al Muhandiseen Street in Al Lejbailat area. Doha, Qatar, February 25, 2016Al Mawrid St, Doha, Qatar
Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) near a stone building on Al Muhandiseen Street in Al Lejbailat area. Doha, Qatar, February 25, 2016Al Mawrid St, Doha, Qatar
Flowers of Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on Al Muhandiseen Street in Al Lejbailat area. Doha, Qatar, February 25, 2016Al Mawrid St, Doha, Qatar
Fruits of Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on Al Muhandiseen Street in Al Lejbailat area. Doha, Qatar, February 25, 2016Al Mawrid St, Doha, Qatar
Ripening fruits of Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on Al Muhandiseen Street in Al Lejbailat area. Doha, Qatar, February 25, 2016Al Mawrid St, Doha, Qatar
Close up of fruits of Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) taken from Al Muhandiseen Street in Al Lejbailat area. Doha, Qatar, February 25, 2016
Ripe fruits of Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) taken from Al Muhandiseen Street in Al Lejbailat area. Doha, Qatar, February 25, 2016
Detached red berries of Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) taken from Al Muhandiseen Street in Al Lejbailat area. Doha, Qatar, February 25, 2016
Fruits of Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on white background taken from Al Muhandiseen Street in Al Lejbailat area. Doha, Qatar, February 25, 2016
Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) with fruits on Al Muhandiseen Street in Al Lejbailat area. Doha, Qatar, March 2, 2016Al Mawrid St, Doha, Qatar
Large bush of Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on Al Muhandiseen Street in Al Lejbailat area. Doha, Qatar, March 2, 2016Al Mawrid St, Doha, Qatar
Ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) on Al Mawrid Street in Al Lejbailat area. Doha, Qatar, May 26, 2016Al Mawrid St, Doha, QatarThe Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) plant was observed in various locations in Doha, Qatar, from May 2015 to May 2016. Initially, it was found growing on sidewalks and in cracks of pavement in the Onaiza area, with observations of seedlings, flowers, fruits, and shoots. Later, it was spotted in the Al Lejbailat area, on streets such as Al Muhandiseen and Al Mawrid, often near buildings or in areas with some shade. The plant was observed at different stages of growth, including flowering, fruiting, and ripening. The fruits were noted to be red when ripe. The observations suggest that the Ashwagandha plant is able to thrive in urban environments in Qatar, tolerating conditions such as sidewalk pavement and dusty streets. Overall, the plant appears to be naturalized in the area, with multiple sightings over a period of time.
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