RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and NEOM have discovered eight native plant species that were not previously recorded in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
This discovery is part of the NEOM flora program, which aims to protect 95 percent of natural lands and restore and document the region’s unique biodiversity.
The two-phase program included a comprehensive study of the geology, soil, watershed hydrology, ecology and topography of NEOM.
“The new plant species have been documented at the National Herbarium within the Seed Center and Plant Genetic Resources Bank in Riyadh, representing a significant addition to Saudi Arabia’s recorded flora,” said Ahmad Alayadh, deputy minister for agriculture.
The eight species are: Bituminaria flaccida (Nabelek) Greuter, Cicer judaicum Boiss, Crambe hispanica L, Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC, Hyoscyamus boveanus (Dunal) Asch & Schweinf, Muscari longipes subsp Longipes, Phagnalon nitidum Fresen, and Plantago sinaica (Barneoud) Decne.
Dhiya Zaidan, senior manager of landscape architecture at NEOM, said: “Over the past two and a half years, this initiative has yielded remarkable results, including documenting 345 local plant species, 28 rare species, and eight new registered plant species not previously recorded in the Kingdom.
“This would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our researchers and scientists on the ground.”
Launched in 2021, the NEOM flora program is a key initiative to document and conserve the region’s natural heritage, enhancing knowledge of local vegetation and plant species.
