Flora & Fauna of Nabataea

This web age will cover the Flora and Fauna found in the deserts of southern Jordan and northern Saudi Arabia (Nabataea).

The Wild Plants of Jordan, their Medical, Perfume and preventative Qualities, by Mohammed Jbriil il Jiniidi Daar ilAseel 1993 (Arabic, with line drawings)

While living in Abu Lissan southern Jordan I also started a small database of plants and how the Bedouin used them. This was coninued by a later medical officer at the clinic in Ras alNaqab.

Shrubs found in Nabataea

Herba-alba Wormwood Artemisia inculta Shiyh Perennial herb with many basal erect leafy stems covered by soft dense to wooly hairs. Leaves dissected, greyish, covered by woolly hairs, stronly aromatic. A medicinal tea is made of the leaves for stomach pains and cramps.

Trees found in Nabataea

Deep in the valleys of the Hishma Desert, trees and shrubs eke out their subsistance, drawing moisture from short shring showers and run-off from the mountains.

Flowers found in Nabataea

The area we have called Nabataea, contains hundreds of different kinds of wild flowers. When sub-species are considered, the count goes to over 1000. Many of these flowers are only present during April and May, at the end of the rainy season, just before the long hot summer sun scorches everything in it’s path. This page does not attempt to present any sort of systematic or complete coverage of these flowers. If you are interested in a complete lisiting of these plants, contact the Jordan Society for Biological Sciences (JSBS), or the the Plant Biodiversity Database. A good layman’s guide can be found in the full color book: Field Guide to Wild Flowers of Jordan and Neighbourng Countries Dawud M. H. Al-Eisawi, Professor of Botany, P.O. Box 13500 Amman, Jordan 11942, University of Jordan, 1988

Jal'ad Iris Iris atrofusca Found in the hills of Nabataea. There are many types of Irises found throughout Nabataea, but the Jal'ad is by far the most common.

There it is folks, the Black Iris. Just when you thought that you would never see one, one pops up. This beautiful specimen was discovered by Dr. George Kelsy and moved to his garden when it flourished for a couple of years.

Hoary Pepperwort Cardaria draba Gnaybara White flower cluster atop step with large leaves attached to the stem Presently used by the local Arabs for animal feed

Common Anemone Anemone coronaria Perennial herb, 15-22 cm long with subterranean corm 1-1.5 cm in diameter, leaves 203 times dissected (parsley like). Flowers 4-7 cm in diameter.

Another flowering plant found in Wadi Rum after it rained

Grasses found in Nabataea

Guysoum is a plant that is prized for it's medicinal qualities by the Bedouin. This plant grows throughout southern Nabataea, especially in the high hills around Naqab.

Weeds and Others found in Nabataea

Wild Mint Several years ago I tried transplanting some wild mint from the Hishma desert to my back yard. I failed in my first two attempts. I finally disconnected the drain pipe from my kitchen sink and ran it directly to the plot where the mint was growing, and then the mint flourished. The original mint plant was taken from Lawrence's Spring, high on the mountain above Wadi Rumm village, where it grew in the shade of the mountain where water seeped from a crack in the rock. This wild mint is good added to tea, and is especially helpful to those suffering from allergies or asthma.

Animals Found in Nabataea

During the spring, the hills turn green, flowers come out, and sheep enjoy the greenery

Typical goat that is herded in the mountains of Nabataea.

Special thanks to Julien Voigt for sending us these two pictures.

There are still a few wolves left in the mountains around Kerak in Jordan, and more in the mountains of Saudi Arabia.

In all my years and wondering in the desert I have only one seen a Hyena, the dreaded wild animal in the desert.

Hyrax are still found in small numbers in Nabataea.

Arabian Ostrich, Special thanks to Julien Voigt for sending us this picture.

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