Biology:Polycarpaea repens
| Polycarpaea repens | |
|---|---|
| |
| Polycarpaea repens in southern Qatar | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Caryophyllaceae |
| Genus: | Polycarpaea |
| Species: | P. repens
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| Binomial name | |
| Polycarpaea repens (Forssk.) Asch. & Schweinf.[1]
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Polycarpaea repens is a low-growing herbaceous plant belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is indigenous to arid and semi-arid regions across North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and into Pakistan.[1]
Description
Polycarpaea repens is an annual or short-lived perennial, with a woody base and spreading, slender branches. Its size ranges from 5 to 30 cm.[2] It forms low, hairy, sprawling mats. Small leaves bear rough stipules, and its flowers are diminutive. The fruit is a small, many-seeded capsule.[3]
Habitat
This species typically occupies sandy or stony soils and is frequently found in sabkha margins, sand sheets, and gravel plains.[3]
Distribution
It naturally occurs from the Sahara through the Persian Gulf States to Pakistan.[1]
Folk use
In Qatar, local Bedouin accounts note its traditional use in treating camel mange and as an antidote for snakebites.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Polycarpaea repens (Forssk.) Asch. & Schweinf.". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:156169-1. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Kameela". Qatar e-Nature. https://www.enature.qa/en/specie/kameela/. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Abdel Bary, Ekhlas M.M. (November 2012). The Flora of Qatar (The Dicotyledons). 1. Doha: Qatar University. p. 313. https://www.qu.edu.qa/en-us/research/esc/documents/books/the-flora-of-qatar-the-dicotyledons.pdf.
Wikidata ☰ Q17247290 entry
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