Garden Plants
Acacia gerrardii
Talh
A medium-sized tree belonging to the legume family, reaching up to 6 meters in height. Its flowers are pale yellow. Livestock feed on its fruits.
Acacia nilotica
Qarat
A tree reaching up to 5 meters in height, belonging to the legume family. It is commonly found in coastal areas of Dhofar Governorate. Its fruits are important for leather tanning, while its wood is used in lime production and wooden tools.
Acacia senegal
Qitbah – Thammar
A sparsely distributed shrub from the legume family, somewhat similar to the Samr tree. Its flowers are fragrant and it is the main commercial source of gum arabic. Animals feed on its leaves and fruits, and it has medicinal and local uses.
Acacia tortilis
Samr
A thorny deciduous tree from the legume family, tolerant of high temperatures and drought, reaching 6–8 meters in height. Bees produce some of the finest honey from its nectar. Livestock feed on its leaves and fruits, and its wood is used for cooking and charcoal due to its strong combustion.
Acridocarpus orientalis
Qafas
An evergreen shrub from the Malpighiaceae family, characterized by its winged yellow flowers. It has medicinal benefits; its seed oil is used to treat nerve disorders, and its wood is resistant to termites.
Adansonia digitata
Baobab (Tabaldi)
A massive tree from the Malvaceae family, exceeding 15 meters in height. Its thick trunk and short branches give it the appearance of an upside-down tree. Its seeds are edible, and its nutritious fruits are used in soap production.
Adenium obesum
Asfid (Desert Rose)
A succulent shrub from the Apocynaceae family, growing up to 2 meters. Known for its beautiful flowers. Its sap is used in some traditional medicines, but all parts of the plant are believed to be highly toxic to livestock.
Aerva javanica
Raa
A perennial herb from the Amaranthaceae family, 30–60 cm tall. It is easily recognized by its soft white woolly flowers, which are used for stuffing pillows.
Allium cepa
Onion
An annual herb from the Amaryllidaceae family, known for its strong odor due to sulfur compounds. Cultivated widely for its edible bulbs (white, red, and yellow). It aids digestion, boosts immunity, and has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
Allophylus rubifolius
Zarkim
A tree from the Sapindaceae family growing in Dhofar Governorate. It has many nutritional and medicinal benefits, and its leaves are used to heal wounds.
Aloe dhufarensis
Aloe
A succulent plant from the Asphodelaceae family, notable for its tall spikes with red and yellow flowers. Found in Dhofar, and its sap is widely used in traditional medicine.
Amaranthus graecizans
Tamtali
A fast-growing annual herb from the Amaranthaceae family. Its edible leaves are rich in iron, calcium, and vitamins.
Amygdalus arabica
Al-Mazzi
A deciduous tree from the Rosaceae family, reaching 3 meters. Its wood is used to make handles for sticks and axes.
Annona squamosa
Custard Apple
A small tree or shrub from the Annonaceae family producing edible fruits. The fruit is oval with green scaly skin and white pulp rich in vitamin C.
Anogeissus dhofarica
Saghwat – Al-Masht
An endemic tree of the Dhofar Mountains from the Combretaceae family, reaching 12 meters. Grazed by livestock; its leaves have medicinal uses and its wood was used in construction.
Artocarpus heterophyllus
Jackfruit
An evergreen tree from the Moraceae family, growing up to 10 meters. Its fruits are edible.
Avicennia marina
Mangrove (Qurm)
A salt-tolerant evergreen tree from the Acanthaceae family, up to 6 meters tall. It provides a nursery habitat for marine life. Its hard wood resists decay, and its leaves are used as fodder.
Azadirachta indica
Neem
A fast-growing evergreen tree from the Meliaceae family, known for its dense shade. It has antimicrobial properties and is used to treat diabetes, ulcers, gum disease, and cardiovascular conditions.
Blepharis dhofarensis
Alayb
An endemic plant of Dhofar from the Acanthaceae family. Used as fodder; its seeds are among the best feed for camels.
Blepharispermum hirtum
Khafut
A small endemic tree from the Asteraceae family. Its wood is used in construction.
Boscia arabica
Sir – Simar
An evergreen tree from the Capparaceae family, growing up to 5 meters. Its fruits are edible, and its wood resists termites.
Boswellia sacra
Frankincense Tree
A tree reaching 5 meters from the Burseraceae family. Famous in Dhofar for producing frankincense, used in medicine, oils, perfumes, incense, and religious rituals worldwide.
Calotropis procera
Al-Ashkhar
A perennial tree belonging to the Apocynaceae family, reaching up to 5 meters in height. It is characterized by the secretion of a sticky milky latex when any part is broken. The sap is toxic, especially if it comes into contact with the eyes.
Caralluma flava
Daja‘
A small perennial succulent plant from the Apocynaceae family, growing up to 0.5 meters in height. It is distinguished by its yellow flowers, which emit an unpleasant odor.
Carica papaya
Papaya
A fast-growing tropical tree belonging to the Caricaceae family. It has a fibrous, unbranched trunk and large leaves. Its sweet fruits are rich in vitamins, fiber, and minerals, making them highly effective as antioxidants, anti-aging agents, beneficial for colon health, and in combating cancer cells.
Carissa spinarum
A thorny, densely branched plant belonging to the Apocynaceae family, reaching up to 3 meters in height. Its fruits are edible and have numerous medicinal uses.
Catharanthus roseus
Madagascar Periwinkle
An evergreen ornamental flowering plant from the Apocynaceae family, native to Madagascar. Its flowers range in color from white to pink, red, and purple, and it often blooms year-round. The plant is toxic.
Citrullus colocynthis
Bitter Apple
A perennial creeping herb from the Cucurbitaceae family, with stems reaching up to 2 meters long. It produces large, round fruits. Its seeds have many medicinal uses.
Citrus aurantiifolia
Lime
An evergreen and continuously fruiting tree from the Rutaceae family, reaching about 5 meters in height. It is densely branched, irregular in shape, and has short, hard thorns. All parts of the leaves and fruits are used in traditional medicine and cosmetics.
Citrus limettioides
Sweet Lime
A small evergreen tree from the Rutaceae family, with few thorns and reaching up to 6 meters in height. It produces abundant green-yellow fruits that are juicy with an exceptionally sweet flavor. The fruits are rich in vitamin C, acids, and essential oils.
Cocos nucifera
Coconut Palm
A palm tree belonging to the Arecaceae family, reaching up to 30 meters in height. It is used for food, fuel, cosmetics, traditional medicine, and construction materials. Its fruits contain a large quantity of clear liquid known as coconut water.
Commiphora foliacea
Myrrh
A shrub found in Dhofar Governorate, belonging to the Burseraceae family. It secretes a fragrant resin when the bark of mature branches is cut and has many medicinal uses. Its fruits are edible.
Commiphora gileadensis
Shikuf
A tree from the Burseraceae family, growing up to 4 meters tall. It secretes aromatic resin when its bark is cut. The plant varies in shape and size depending on its growing location. Its fruits are edible, and the bark has various medicinal uses.
Conocarpus lancifolius
Kuwaiti Buttonwood
A fast-growing, evergreen perennial tree from the Combretaceae family, reaching up to 20 meters in height. Widely used in afforestation due to its tolerance to salinity and drought, and as windbreaks. It can be shaped into dense, well-arranged forms, and its dense wood is suitable for charcoal.
Cordia ovalis
Majaj
An evergreen tree from the Boraginaceae family, reaching over 2 meters in height. Its fruits are edible, and animals feed on its leaves and fruits.
Cordia perrottettii
Abatah – Abtah
A tree from the Boraginaceae family, growing up to 4 meters tall. It grows only near water sources, is evergreen, and bears sweet-tasting spherical fruits. It is threatened by overgrazing.
Cymbopogon citratus
Lemongrass
A perennial tropical herb from the Poaceae family, known for its citrus aroma and flavor. Widely used in cooking, medicine, and cosmetics. Its leaves are used to make tea that helps relieve stomach and intestinal pain, acts as an antidepressant, and improves mood.
Delonix elata
Irir
A tree belonging to the Fabaceae family, reaching up to 5 meters in height. It is one of the most widespread and easily recognized plants in Dhofar Governorate. It has distinctive orange flowers, edible fruits, and medicinal uses among local communities.
Dodonaea viscosa
Shahass
A shrub widely distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions, belonging to the Sapindaceae family, reaching up to 3 meters in height. Its leaves secrete a white resin with antimicrobial biochemical effects. Its wood is strong, durable, and has many uses.
Dracaena serrulata
Airib
A tree from the Asparagaceae family, growing up to 5 meters tall. It has a single trunk with branching at the top and sword-shaped leaves. The fibers from its leaves are used in rope making, and its resin has several medicinal uses.
Dyerophytum indicum
Milhlah
A small perennial shrub from the Plumbaginaceae family, characterized by its pale blue color and powdery white coating. It reaches up to 2 meters in height and is common in dry environments, mountain slopes, valleys, and rocky areas.
Euphorbia balsamifera
Kadhout
A rounded, succulent shrub branching from the base, belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. It varies greatly in height and is widely distributed in Dhofar Governorate in Oman and in Saudi Arabia. The shrub is spineless and covered with transverse leaf scars. It produces a toxic milky latex.
Euphorbia larica
A fleshy, leafless shrub forming large clumps, reaching up to 1 meter in height. It belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and has many uses in veterinary medicine.
Ficus altissima
Rolah
A massive, long-lived evergreen tree belonging to the Moraceae family, reaching over 25 meters in height. It typically begins its life as an epiphytic plant growing on the branch of another tree. As it matures, it sends down aerial roots which, upon reaching the ground, quickly thicken and strengthen. These roots supply the fig tree with nutrients, allowing it to grow faster than its host tree. The tree is a source of fiber and rubber.
Ficus carica
Fig
A large deciduous tree from the Moraceae family, reaching up to 10 meters in height. It tolerates moderate seasonal drought and can be cultivated in hot regions. The fig spreads through birds and mammals that disperse its seeds in their droppings. The fruits can be eaten fresh or dried, or processed into jams, rolls, biscuits, and other sweets. Due to poor transport and storage of ripe fruits, most commercial production is in dried or processed forms.
Ficus salicifolia
Al-Lithb
A tree from the Moraceae family, growing up to 6 meters tall, known as the willow-leaved fig. It is considered the most drought-tolerant fig species and is widely distributed from the Musandam Peninsula to Dhofar Governorate.
Ficus sycomorus
Souqam – Rool – Ghaydah
A large, long-lived tree from the Moraceae family, exceeding 12 meters in height. Its presence indicates the availability of water. It provides extensive shade, and its fruits are beneficial to humans, birds, and animals.
Ficus vasta
Teeq
A large, long-lived tree from the Moraceae family, growing over 20 meters tall and considered the largest known fig species. It is characterized by its very large, heart-shaped leaves and provides extensive shade.
Grewia villosa
A small tree belonging to the Malvaceae family, reaching up to 3 meters in height. It is distinguished by its round, brownish-red fruits, which are grazed by livestock.
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Roselle (Karkade)
An annual flowering herb from the Malvaceae family, growing up to 2 meters tall. Native to Africa, it is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible calyces used in beverages and jams. It has many medicinal properties, including lowering blood pressure and acting as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agent.
Ipomoea pes-caprae
A perennial creeping plant extending several meters in length, belonging to the Convolvulaceae family. It occurs along coastal areas and has numerous medicinal uses.
Jatropha dhofarica
Zabroot
A plant from the Euphorbiaceae family, widespread in Dhofar Governorate and common in moist areas. It is used as an antiseptic solution and to promote wound healing.
Juniperus seravschanica
Al-Al‘alan
A perennial, evergreen, aromatic tree from the Cupressaceae family, reaching up to 10 meters in height. It is mainly distributed in the Western Al Hajar Mountains (Al Jabal Al Akhdar and Jabal Shams). Smoke from its fruits is used to repel insects, reptiles, and rodents.
Lawsonia inermis
Henna
A tree growing up to 4 meters tall, belonging to the Lythraceae family. Its leaves are used to produce the well-known henna dye and for hair washing, in addition to various medicinal uses.
Lycium shawii
Qasad
A thorny shrub from the Solanaceae family, reaching up to 2 meters in height. It is characterized by its spherical red fruits, which have medicinal uses.
Maerua crassifolia
Al-Sarah
A tree belonging to the Capparaceae family, reaching up to 9 meters in height. It has many knots, and its branches harden into sharp spines that protect it from livestock grazing. Its fruits and leaves are used to treat certain internal diseases.
Mangifera indica
Mango
A perennial evergreen fruit tree from the Anacardiaceae family, reaching up to 30 meters in height. It is famous for its fruits, which can be eaten unripe or ripe. More than 1,000 mango varieties have been recorded worldwide. Its productive lifespan exceeds 50 years.
Manilkara zapota
Sapodilla (Chikoo)
A perennial evergreen tropical fruit tree belonging to the Sapotaceae family, reaching up to 30 meters in height. Native to Mexico and Central America, its fruit is known for its sweet, grainy texture and is eaten fresh or added to desserts and beverages.
Moringa peregrina
Al-Shu‘
A tree widespread throughout Oman, belonging to the Moringaceae family, reaching up to 6 meters in height. Oil is extracted from its seeds and has many medicinal uses. It is also grazed by animals.
Morus alba
White Mulberry
A fast-growing tree from the Moraceae family, reaching up to 15 meters in height and native to China. It is cultivated for its leaves, which are used to feed silkworms, and for its edible fruits. Its leaves have medicinal properties, including lowering blood sugar and blood pressure.
Myrtus communis
Myrtle
An evergreen, upright, dense shrub with an aromatic scent, belonging to the Myrtaceae family, growing up to 3 meters tall. It is used as hedges in gardens and public spaces. Its dark green, glossy, aromatic leaves yield an oil used in massage therapy for paralysis. It has abundant white flowers and dark purple-black berry fruits.
Nannorrhops ritchieana
Mazari Palm
A low-growing palm species with a highly branched trunk, belonging to the Arecaceae family, reaching up to 8 meters in height. Its leaves are widely used in traditional handicrafts, and the pulp of its fruits is edible.
Nerium oleander
Oleander
A perennial shrub from the Apocynaceae family, reaching up to 3 meters in height. It secretes a milky sap when its stems or leaves are broken and is easily recognized by its pink to red flowers. All parts of the plant are toxic and unsuitable for grazing. It is widely used as an ornamental plant.
Nicotiana tabacum
Tobacco
An annual herb from the Solanaceae family, growing up to 2 meters tall. Native to tropical regions, it is cultivated worldwide. The plant has sticky hairs on all parts, and its leaves are harvested commercially to be processed into tobacco for human use.
Ocimum basilicum
Sweet Basil
An aromatic herb rich in essential oils, belonging to the Lamiaceae family and native to tropical Asia and Africa. It is cultivated worldwide for its fragrant leaves, which are used in cooking and traditional medicine. Basil leaves have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.
Ocimum forskoelei
Wild Basil
A perennial herb forming woody-based clumps, belonging to the Lamiaceae family and characterized by a strong aromatic scent. Its leaves have many medicinal uses.
Olea europaea
Wild Olive
An evergreen tree from the Oleaceae family, growing over 3 meters tall. Its wood is highly valued for its hardness and resistance to termites and is used in making walking sticks and tools.
Pergularia tomentosa
A perennial plant from the Apocynaceae family with twining stems that may climb. When broken, it exudes a white milky sap used to treat certain skin diseases.
Phoenix dactylifera
Date Palm
A famous perennial palm belonging to the Arecaceae family, reaching up to 30 meters in height and characterized by an unbranched cylindrical trunk. Its fruits (dates) are among the most well-known and nutritionally valuable fruits. The tree has many traditional and handicraft uses, including construction, rope making, boats, and medicinal applications.
Pithecellobium dulce
Manila Tamarind
A thorny evergreen tree from the Fabaceae family, growing up to 20 meters tall. It is known for its edible pods and is used for fencing and shade. It is also used for firewood, fodder, honey production, and soap oil. The tree fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving soil fertility.
Pluchea arabica
A pleasantly aromatic, fully branched plant forming clumps, belonging to the Asteraceae family and reaching about 0.5 meters in height. Its presence indicates groundwater availability. It has medicinal uses.
Portulaca oleracea
Purslane
An annual semi-succulent plant with prostrate, branched stems, belonging to the Portulacaceae family. Its leaves are edible and have medicinal uses.
Prosopis cineraria
Ghaf Tree
A common perennial desert tree from the Fabaceae family, reaching up to 20 meters in height and considered one of the largest wild trees in Oman. It has deep cultural significance for Bedouins, who shelter under it, consume its leaves, and use its wood for construction, cooking, and heating. Livestock also graze on it.
Pteropyrum scoparium
Sidaf
A perennial plant from the Polygonaceae family, growing up to 2 meters tall. It has branched stems, edible leaves, and medicinal uses.
Punica granatum
Pomegranate
A perennial deciduous fruit shrub from the Lythraceae family, growing up to 10 meters tall. It is cultivated for fruit production and ornamental purposes and is drought tolerant. It is widely used in treating ulcers, diarrhea, diabetes, tumors, inflammation, and as an antioxidant.
Rhazya stricta
Harmal
A widely distributed perennial herb from the Apocynaceae family with a woody base, growing up to 75 cm tall. It has many medicinal uses.
Rhus aucheri
Qitaf
An evergreen tree from the Anacardiaceae family, reaching up to 5 meters in height. It is grazed by livestock and has several medicinal uses.
Ricinus communis
Castor Bean
A widely distributed perennial plant from the Euphorbiaceae family, growing up to 2 meters tall. Its seeds are toxic, but castor oil extracted from them has many medicinal uses.
Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosemary
An evergreen aromatic shrub with needle-like leaves from the Lamiaceae family. Native to the Mediterranean region, Portugal, and Spain, it is used as a culinary flavoring and as an ornamental plant due to its attractive form and drought tolerance.
Rumex vesicarius
Bladder Dock
A widely distributed annual semi-succulent plant from the Polygonaceae family. It has branched stems and edible sour-tasting leaves with medicinal uses.
Ruttya fruticosa
A shrub from the Acanthaceae family, reaching up to 3 meters in height and characterized by its orange-red flowers. It is grazed by livestock.
Salvadora persica
Miswak Tree
An evergreen tree from the Salvadoraceae family, forming dense clustered groups. It is famous for producing natural toothbrushes (miswak). Its fruits are edible, and its leaves are used in skin treatments.
Sideroxylon mascatense
But
A perennial evergreen tree from the Sapotaceae family that grows in cool highland areas. Its fruits are edible.
Sterculia africana
Akhthoura
A deciduous tree with limited distribution in Dhofar Governorate, belonging to the Malvaceae family. Its trunk resembles that of the frankincense tree and exudes a type of resin used for bathing.
Syzygium cumini
Java Plum
A perennial evergreen tropical tree from the Myrtaceae family, reaching up to 30 meters in height. Native to India and Southeast Asia, it is fast-growing with dense foliage that provides shade. Its leaves are used as animal fodder, and its fruits are edible with a sweet, slightly sour taste, changing color from pink to red and finally black.
Tamarindus indica
Tamarind
An evergreen tree belonging to the Fabaceae family, reaching up to 20 meters in height. Its fruits are widely consumed and have a tangy, lemon-like flavor. The tree also has numerous medicinal uses.
Tamarix aphylla
Athel Tamarisk
A medium-sized tree growing to about 4 meters in height, belonging to the Tamaricaceae family. It bears small pinkish flowers, and its leaves have medicinal applications.
Tecomella undulata
Rohida
A medium-sized deciduous tree from the Bignoniaceae family, adapted to dry desert environments. It produces strong, high-quality timber and is distributed across Oman, southwest Iran, and from northern India to Pakistan. The tree is distinguished by its attractive tubular yellow to orange flowers.
Tephrosia nubica
A very common perennial woody plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, characterized by its pink flowers.
Tephrosia purpurea
A very common perennial woody plant from the Fabaceae family that flowers throughout the year.
Terminalia catappa
Tropical Almond (Sea Almond)
A large tree belonging to the Combretaceae family, reaching approximately 35 meters in height. It is easily recognized by its tiered, horizontal branching pattern. Its fruits are edible.
Teucrium mascatense
Al-Ja‘dah
A perennial aromatic plant with branched stems, belonging to the Lamiaceae family. It grows on mountain summits and has many medicinal uses.
Trachyspermum ammi
Ajwain
An aromatic annual herb belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is considered a seed spice, as both its leaves and fruits are used in cooking and traditional medicine. Oil extracted from its seeds, known as ajwain oil, contains thymol as its main component and is used to treat digestive disorders and bronchial problems.
Zataria multiflora
Wild Thyme
An aromatic annual herb from the Lamiaceae family with very small flowers. Its oval-shaped leaves are dried and commonly used as a spice due to their pleasant aroma and flavor. The herb has a long history in traditional medicine, where it is used as an antiseptic, anesthetic, antidiarrheal, antispasmodic, and analgesic.
Zingiber officinale
Ginger
A perennial flowering herb belonging to the Zingiberaceae family. Ginger has a pungent, aromatic flavor, and its rhizome is widely used as a culinary spice and in traditional medicine to treat colds, nausea, and digestive disorders.
Ziziphus hajarensis
A medium-sized shrub belonging to the Rhamnaceae family. It resembles the sidr tree in its leaves and thorns but differs in its fruits. It is grazed by livestock, and women traditionally use powdered leaves as a hair treatment.
Ziziphus leucodermis
A densely branched shrub from the Rhamnaceae family. Its fruits resemble those of the sidr tree but are smaller in size. Its leaves have medicinal uses. It differs from Ziziphus spina-christi by having smaller leaves, more numerous thorns, and orange fruits when ripe.
Ziziphus spina-christi
Sidr Tree (Christ’s Thorn Jujube)
A large perennial tree from the Rhamnaceae family, reaching up to 12 meters in height. It is one of the most famous trees in Oman, valued for its shade and timber. Its fruits are edible, and its leaves are widely used for cleansing and purification purposes. Bees produce some of the finest honey from its flowers.