Yahya MASRAHI, Arwa AL-HUQAIL, Turki AL-TURKI, Jacob THOMAS

Odyssea mucronata, Sesbania sericea, and Sesamum alatum–new discoveries for the flora of Saudi Arabia

During field studies in sand dune areas and some habitats close to wetland ecosystems of the Tihama region of Jazan Province in south-western Saudi Arabia, specimens of 3 interesting species belonging to the genera Odyssea (Poaceae), Sesbania (Papilionaceae), and Sesamum (Pedaliaceae) were collected; they were identified as Odyssea mucronata (Forssk.) Stapf, Sesbania sericea (Willd.) Link., and Sesamum alatum Thonn. A review of the literature revealed that these tropical African taxa were never before recorded for the flora of Saudi Arabia. O. mucronata is represented by a relatively large isolated population. The other 2, S. sericea and S. alatum-components of a semi wetland ecosystem and sandy areas, respectively-are represented in the Arabian Peninsula by 2 relict populations. Morphology, habitat descriptions, illustrations, and taxonomic commentary of all 3 taxa are presented.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Sesbania, Sesamum, Tihama region, Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia, Somalia-Masai region

Odyssea mucronata, Sesbania sericea, and Sesamum alatum– new discoveries for the fl ora of Saudi Arabia

Keywords:

Sesbania Sesamum, Tihama region, Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia, Somalia-Masai region, Odyssea,

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