Newly recorded for the vascular flora of Abu Dhabi: Maerua crassifolia Forssk. (Capparaceae)

Abstract

During the floristic surveys in 2020–2023 in the United Arab Emirates, we recorded Maerua crassifolia Forssk., which is new to the flora of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This species has a distribution across Africa, through the Arabian Peninsula, to Iran and Pakistan. We discuss the geographic range of this species, its presence in the Arabian Peninsula, and its conservation status. Our new record expands the geographic distribution of the species and highlights the importance of expanding botanical surveys to increase the knowledge on the floral diversity of the emirate.

Keywords

• Arabian Peninsula
• biogeography
• conservation
• end