Jordan

A Greentours Tour Report

March 23rd – April 5th 2011

Led By Oron Peri Written by Oron Peri

Day 1 March 23rd

Group arrived to Amman airport in the late evening and transferred to the Mariam Hotel in Madaba where we had a late dinner.

Day 2 March 24th Madaba to A-Salt

We have started this day with a visit to the church at the centre of Madaba in order to see the well-known Mosaic floor at the Orthodox St. George church, followed by another cultural visit to Mt. Nebo situated a ten minute drive from the centre of the city, with a fantastic view of the Great Rift Valley, Dead Sea and Judean Mountains. After these visits we have started our journey down to the Jordan Valley. It wasn’t long till we noticed some fine clumps of atrofusca in flower with its large, dark showy flowers. This site is home to many other beauties such as Tulipa agenensis, Leopoldia longipes, Asphodeline lutea the dark purple Roemeria hybrida and the yellow flowering Adonis dentata.

Next stop was as we entered Wadi Shuweb, home to some representatives belonging to the 'dry tropical '. Originating in Sudan in Africa, these plants have climbed up along the Great Rift to thrive in the hottest parts of the deserts. Probably the most impressive belonging to this group is Calotropis procera, a tree with big rounded leaves and puffed, apple-like fruits. Other trees growing around are Accacia raddiana, Ziziphus spina-cristi, Tamarix jordanis and Moringa peregrina. Here we have also seen the wild Watermelon, Citrullus colocynthis and Commicarpus africanus with its nice white flowers. All along the water canals are lots of Arundo donax and the lovely Mentha longifolia in full bloom. A couple of White-breasted Kingfishers where seen flying in the Wadi.

Next stop was at a higher point as we were climbing the road to A-Salt where we couldn’t miss other Oncocyclus Iris clumps, this time a dark purple form of growing together with the lovely Glaucium arabicum and Papaver politrichum. From there passing through A-Salt and outskirts of Amman we headed to the Branch Hotel situated on the Ajloun hills but again we had to make a stop as a new species of Oncocyclus was growing on a hill above the road this time Iris nigricans with its almost black flowers. This site was in full bloom with many new species such as Muscari neglectum, the red form of Ranunculus asiaticus and many more. Certainly seeing three Oncocyclus species on the first day was a lovely surprise for all of us.

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Day 3 March 25th Wadi Rajib & Dibbin

After a good rest at the hotel we headed west to visit Wadi Mujib. This large seasonal river [wadi] begins under Jarash to end in the Jordan Valley. This semidesert area has a rich flora, including a population of Iris haynei. On the serpentine a large population of Trichodesma boissieri can be seen with its silvery leaves and beautiful pale-blue flowers while in the fields under carpets of dark purple Salvia viridis is growing in company of Echium rauwolfii and the vivid blue Alkanna strigosa. Many birds inhabit this valley including Southern Grey Shrike, Chukar, European Bee-eaters and many others.

On the way up we had a stop in an olive grove above a village where a few stunning are growing at the edge of a field. The caterpillars of Archon apollinus where seen on a nearby plant of Aristolochia bottae. In the afternoon we arrived to the Natural Reserve of Dibbin where among large trees of the red trunked Arbutus andrachne we have found still some flowers of Cyclamen persicum and a selection of Orchids including the rare Orchis galilea.

Day 4 March 26th Jarash to Irbid and the Syrian border

First stop of this day was as we started to go North, above the village of Anjara where the impressive Castle of Ajluon can be seen just in front of us. We searched two hills nearby where we have found big flowered Gagea commutata, the strange looking Hypecoum imberbe, Ranunculus millefolius and others.

We have turned East just before entering the city of Irbid where habitat turned rapidly to semi desert conditions. We have made a stop near a few bare hills where many, small, silvery-striped Ornithogalum trichophyllum where growing together with the tall Ornithogalum narbonense, orange Adonis aestivus and red Papaver hybridum. On a western facing slope many tall spikes of Eremostachys laciniata were in full bloom.

After a picnic lunch we have continued north where just a few km south of the Syrian border we visited a site for rare Iris bostrensis. This site is the only known place for this species in Jordan, growing on a very dry, bare hill, while on the northern side we have found Gagea fibrosa and narrow leaved Gagea reticulata growing side by side with 3 species of Bellevalia. On the way back to the bus I have turned few rocks to look for some reptiles and insects. First we have found the notorious Black Widow Spider, protecting its sacs of eggs. But soon a Desert Agama, a Bridled Mabuya and finally a friendly Sinai Dwarf Racer snake.

In the afternoon as we where going back we had a last stop in another Oncocyclus Iris site where an intermediate form of Iris bostrensis/nigricans are growing with a wide range of colors and forms. We reached our friendly hotel by the end of the day. For dinner we had a specially made delicious local dish called Mansaf.

Day 5 March 27th Ajloun and Jarash

We have started the day with a visit to Ajloun castle. This well preserved Castle is situated on top of the hill above Ajloun with a fantastic view of the surroundings. Our first stop for flowers was further down in the Oak and Pistacia forests that surround Ajloun Natural Reserve. This location is carpeted with Anemone coronaria of different colors and the tiny exceptionally showy Veronica syriaca with its bicoloured flowers. Bongardia chrysogonum with its particular leaves grew abundantly in this site.

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After lunch at a local Restaurant we spent the rest of the afternoon in the Archeological site of Jarash, the most well preserved Roman city. Many birds such as Laughing Doves and Graceful Prinia as well as Roughtail Agamas can be seen on site. Just before dark we have made a last stop above the hotel to see a forest of old Arbutus andrachne trees.

Day 6 March 28th Jarash to Dead Sea

We left the green Mediterranean area and headed to the Dead Sea going through A-Salt going from 1020m down to 423m under sea level. We have made a couple of stops for flowers along the way, first for the vivid blue-violet Lupinus pilosus growing in an olive grove. While in the field a few Tristram's Starlings with their typical call flew above us. Another stop was for Iris haynei that is growing in a nearby field in company with Campanula strigosa and Campanula hierosolymitana.

We arrived in Dead Sea before noon where people took a bath in Amman Beach where all facilities are available including our lunch at the site's restaurant. After lunch we headed to Dana natural reserve with a stop for Epipactis veratrifolia growing on wet walls just by the road and another stop under Karak Castle to take photos of a field full of dark Fritillaria persica. We reached Danna at dark to spend there the night.

Day 7 March 29th Dana and Shoubak

After breakfast we went down to the reserve for a walk, Tristram's Starlings were everywhere, weaseling loudly. The whole area is covered by Juniperus phoenicea trees, some centuries in age. As we turned for the north side of a mountain we have found a few plants of Arabis alpina in bloom in the crevices and nearby a lovely plant of the rare Salvia multicaulis in its green form. The round forms and colors of the mountains around are unique, and are home to many birds such as Desert Wheatear, Rock Martin, and Sand Partriges.

We have continued to Shoubak castle, situated on the hills before reaching the area of Petra. The area was quite dry this year as it received very little rain still some plants of Bellevalia mosheovii and Asphodeline lutea were in bloom in the rocky steppes. We went up to the highest point above Shubak where one can see the Jordan Valley and Judea desert, hundreds of Common Buzzards crossed just in front of us as they were flying north. We reached Petra by late afternoon.

Day 8 March 30th Petra

The whole day was programmed to this most interesting and well known site. We left the Hotel after breakfast and walked a short distance to the gate where we met our Local guide. One should just see Petra as words fail of describe its immensity.

Fig trees, Juniperus phoenicia, Pistacia atlantica are growing on the high walls while a nice variety of shrubs, some in flower are allover the area, just to mention once more Daphne linearifolia, Retama raetam, Capparis aegyptia, Solanum siniacum the curious Gomphocarpus sinaicus with its green colored flowers and others. Particularly nice is the contrast made by some silvery or glaucus leaves such as Drimia maritima and Marubium vulgare against the red colored walls.

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The noisy Fan-tailed Ravens and Tristram's Starlings with their typical call are very common here and seem to have got used to the many tourists visiting the site, but not only birds, two species of Agama, the common Agama stellios and the stunning Agama sinaita with its blue head can be seen from short distances. After the excellent lunch at the restaurant, people were free to choose either to walk up the mountain to see the Monastery, to join the group for further 'nature hunt' or just going back on their own timing. In the evening we met for at the 'Conference room' of the hotel.

Day 9 April 1st Little Petra, Shoubak to Maa'n

We have started the day with a visit to the nearby, less known site of Little Petra. Not before making another short stop for taking pictures of the amazing view of Petra from another angle. In this cool site, as walls are very high and shade most of the area, we have seen Bellevalia stepporum a few Fritillaria persica and surprisingly many plants of the blue Brunera orientalis usually a plant of high snowy altitudes.

Out in the sun are a few large plants of Astragalus kahiricus with yellow flowers. While taking photos a Lanner Falcon flew just in front of us. After visiting this site we climbed the mountains to reach again Shoubak and from there east on the road leading to Maa'n. We had few stops for flowers in the small dry streams where we found the lovely, dark colored Allium rothii, yellow flowering Leontice leontopetalum and many others.

In the afternoon we went farther south to Ras–A-Naqeb which is the highest mountain in the area, where one can see Wadi Rum and the southern desert, while watching a Griffon Vulture flying just in front of us. On the way there we noticed a few Fat Sand Rats seating at the entrance of their tunnels. Last stop was on the way back to look at the sun set above Petra.

Day 10 April 2nd Petra to Wadi Rum

We spent the morning around Petra in a few locations we have seen earlier including a little spring near the village where near the water we could see Veronica anagallis-aquatica, Adiantum capillus-veneris, Mentha longifolia etc. From there we took a desert road that connects Kings Road to the Highway, surprisingly a couple of majestic Golden Eagles were sitting just by the road and we could watch them from a short distance.

Before lunch time it was time for the group to split, a few went north, back to Madaba as they had to catch a flight early next morning, while the rest of the group continued with me south to Wadi Rum. As we arrived into the sandy lower parts of the desert we made a couple of stops as the habitat is very different and much hotter climate. Plants such as Abutilon fruticusum, Crotalaria arabica and others are typical of this hot region as well as the tiny Sand Gecko and the colorful poisonous grasshopper Poekilocerus bufonius. In the late afternoon we reached the lovely Beit Ali Hotel situated inside Wadi Rum.

Day 11 April 3rd Wadi Rum

We had two four-wheel vehicles cars with local Bedouin drivers from the nearby village of Rum who took us for half a day trip in the area, traveling on the immense sand scenery where the high dark mountains, seems to born out of the sand to reach 1700m. First stop was at the Lawrence spring, named after Lawrence of Arabia, where we had tea at a Bedouin tent, above it,

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a few Date trees grow on a wall. The sand dunes were covered by a curious, papery, either golden or red flowering shrubs of Kaloxylos solarium. We also found a few Pancratium sikenbergeri with their spiral leaves, three different species of Fagonia, Silene villosa with white flowers. Many Small Spotted Lizards are easily noted around the shrubs.

We headed back to the hotel for lunch and two hours break as it was quite hot. In the afternoon drivers came back to take us for another 3 hours drive in the northern part of Wadi Rum. Mountains change their colors according to the sun. Many more plants have been seen on the way including the wild watermelon and near Lawrence Cave we have found some lovely brown flowering Dipcadi erythraeum.

Day 12 April 4th Aqaba

We had a very early wake up at 0430 in the morning in order to reach the natural reserve in Aqaba to see migrating birds. The Local guide has met us on site before 0700 to lead us through the water reservoirs. Many birds where at the site including a fantastic Spotted Eagle, Marsh Harrier, many Spur-winged Lapwing and others. We left the site and headed north in Wadi Araba [Great Rift] till we reached an area of sand dunes.

Unfortunately the area was very dry but at a nearby Acacia grove we found the lovely red flowered parasitic Pilosepalus acaciae growing on the trees while many birds enjoyed it including the colorful Sunbird. On a dry tree a couple of Little Green Bee-eaters where sitting undisturbed. We turned back to Aqaba for lunch at a local restaurant and in the afternoon headed back to our hotel in Wadi Rum.

Day 13 April 5th Wadi Rum to Madaba

We have started our long journey back to Madaba. In the area of Al – Lajjun we have seen our first Iris nigricans and not far from there a field just carpeted with stunning blue-violet colored Gladiolus atroviolaceus growing with a few plants of Hyoscyamus reticulatus and Achillea santolina.

We arrived for a late lunch at a restaurant located just above the immense Wadi Mujib with a view to the large dam under it; food was really tasty and rich in local dishes. After lunch we crossed Wadi Mujib to find some rare white flowered Alcea rufescens and many Allium gasyunense in full bloom, red flowered Rumex cyprium, white flowering Heliotropium maris- mortui and many others

As we approached Madaba we arrived at another field with many large clumps of Iris nigricans, a lovely ending to our trip….

Day 14 April 6th Departure

A very early wakeup and breakfast at the hotel, to follow a 25 minute drive to Amman International Airport.

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Systematic List – Plants

ACANTACEAE Acanthus mollis Wadi Shueb, Ajloun Blepharis ciliaris Dead Sea, Wadi Rum

ADIANTACEAE Adiantum capillus veneris Petra

AIZOACEAE Aizoon hispanicum Jordan Valley

AMARYLLIADACEAE Allium ascersonianum after blooming, south of Madaba Allium gasyunense Creamy-Yellow flowers, Wadi Mujib Allium neapolitanum white flowers, triangular stem, widespread. Allium orientale widespread Allium rothii West of Maa'n

ANACARDIACEAE Pistacia atlantica Soubak, Jarash Ajloun Pistacia palaestina Ajloun Rhus coriaria Mountains in the north

APIACEAE [UMBELLIFERACEAE] Artedia squamata lovely white umbel with dark button in the middle, widespread communis vulgare common. Lecokia cretica Ajloun Piturtanthus turtuosus Desert like Smyrnium olusatrum Tordylium aegyptiacum Zosima abisinthiifolia

APOCYNACEAE Calotropis procera Wadi Shueb Nerium oleander widespread

ARACEAE Arisarum vulgare A- Salt Arum hygrophillum Wadi Rajeb Arum palaestinum Wadi Rajeb

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE Aristolochia bottae wadi mujib Aristolochia parvifolia Irbid

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ASPARAGACEAE Asparagus aphyllus widespread Bellevalia eigii Syrian border Bellevalia flexuosa dark stem, white flowers, common in the Med. areas Bellevalia mosheovii Ras a Naqeb Bellevalia stepporum Little Petra Dipcadi erythraeum dark brown flowers, rare, sand dunes, Wadi Rum Muscari neglectum A-Salt, Ajloun, Jarash Ornithogalum narbonense common, often in cultivated fields Ornithogalum neurostegium glaucous leaves often hairy, semi desert, Wadi Shuyeb,Wadi Mujib Ornithogalum tricophyllum Beautiful desert species, thin leaves, large white silvery Flowers

ASPHODELACEAE Asphodeline lutea Orange and Yellow forms form, widespread Asphodelus ramosus Widespread including the deserts Asphodelus tenuifolius Annual, semi desert & deserts

BERBERIDACEAE Bongardia chrysodonum Ajloun Leonotis leonotopetalum E. of Maa'n

BORAGINACEAE Alkanna strigosa showy flowers, Wadi Shueb, Irbid. Alkanna tinctoria stunning blue flowers, Wadi Rum Anchusa aegyptiaca annual, white flowers, Jordan Valley Anchusa azurea Anchusa italica dark purple flowers Ancusa strigosa. Tall, blue flowers Brunera orientalis 'Forget me not' blue flowers, Little Petra Buglossioides tenuiflora Tiny sky blue flowers Echium angstifolium red and purple flowers Echium rauwolfii annual, similar to A. judeum, semi desert Heliotropium maris-mortui silvery leaves, white flowers, around Dead Sea and Wadi Mujib Trichodesma boissieri Silvery leaves, sky blue flowers, Wadi Rajeb

CAESALPINACEAE Ceratonia siliqua Tree, widespread

CAPPARACEAE Capparis aegyptiaca glaucus leaves, cascading habit, walls in Desert Capparis Zoharyi similar to C. spinosa, Ajloun

CARYOPHILLACEAE Minuartia picta Wadi Shuyeb Paronychia argentea common, low creeping, white papery flowers. Silene aegyptica showy carpets in Olive groves. Silene damascena A - Salt.

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Silene villosa White, night flowering species, sticky plant, Wadi Rum Spergularia diandra Ajloun

CHENOPODIACEAE Atriplex halimus Silvery, salty leaves Shoubak Atriplex spongiosa Dead- Sea area, glaucous leaves, puffed green fruits.

COLCHICACEAE Colchicum ritchii In sand, Wadi Rum

COMPOSITAE Aaronsohnia factorovskyi yellow chamomile like flowers, no petals, Dead Sea Acillea fragrantissima Desert steppes Achilea santolina Wadi Mujib Anthemis maris –mortuii elongated flowering stems around Dead- Sea Anthemis pseudocotula common, create carpets Artemisia a sieberi Widespread in the desert Asteriscus graveolens Wadi Rum Calendula arvensis Widespread through all habitats Centaurea pallescens Jarash Chrysanthemum coronarium Jordan –Valley Gundelia tournefortii common Launaea nudicularis widespread Matricaria aurea Camomila, semi desert and deserts Notobasis syriaca Wadi Shueb, A- Salt, Jarash Picris damascena Yellow flowers, semi desert Scenecio glaucus common Scorsonera judaica silvery undulate leaves, yellow flower Scorzonera schwinfurthii Dana Silybum marianum widespread Tragopogon collinus Wadi Shuyeb

CONVOLVULACEAE Convolvulus althaeoides Pink flowers, prostrate, Dana Convolvulus humilis small pink flowers, white and yellow center. Convolvulus pentapetaloides small sky-blue flowers, widespread

CRASSULACEAE Rosularia libanotica crevices and walls, Ajloun Umbelicus intermedius Crevices, Widespread

CRUCIFERAE Arabis alpina annual, pink, Ajloun Brasica nigra common Diplotaxis acris large pink flowers, deserts Malcolmia crenulata Ajloun Matthiola livida Common in the deserts Sinapis arvensis widespread Zilla spinosa thorny shrub pink flowers, Negev

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CUCURBITACEAE Bryonia cretica common in the Med. Areas Bryonia syriaca A- Salt, Ajloun Citrullus colocynthis Wild watermelon, Wadi Rum

CUPRESSACEAE Juniperus phoenicea Locally common, Petra, Danna

ERICACEAE Arbutus andrachne Jarash, Ajloun

EUPHORBIACEAE Euphorbia chamaepeplus Dana Euphorbia hierosolymitana Shrub, rocky areas, A- Salt, Jarash, Ajloun

FAGACEAE Quercus coccifera common in the Med. Region Quercus ithaburensis Jarash, Ajloun

FUMARIACEAE Ceratocapnos turbinata Fumaria like, Irbid Fumaria densiflora A- Salt

GERANIACEAE Erodium acaule rosettes of fine cut leaves, widespread Erodium arborescens Wadi Shueb Erodium gruinum common annual, red veins Geranium lucidum Shiny leaves, Jarash Geranium tuberosum Widespread

GRAMINACEAE Arundo donax Wadi Shueb

IRIDACEAE Gladiolus atropurpureus S. of Madaba Under Mt. Nebo Iris bostrensis Syrian border Iris bismarckiana Wadi Rajeb Iris haynei Wadis leading to Jordan Valley Iris nigricans Amman, S. of Madaba Moraea sisyrincium widespread through the region

JUNCUCEAE Juncus rigidus Jordan Valley, Dead Sea

LABIATAE Ajuga chamaepitys subsp chia prostrate, yellow flowers, Upper Galilee Eremostachys laciniata tall spikes, yellow rusty flowers, Mafraq Lamium amplexicaule widespread in Med. areas Lamium moscahatum Ajloun

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Majorana syriaca known as Zaatar, A- Salt, Irbid Parsium majus Shrub, semi climber, white flowers, Wadi-Suweb, Ajloun Micromeria siniaca Scented plant, Tiny pink flowers, Wadi-Rum Phlomis brachyodon Wadi Shuweb, large yellow flowers Salvia dominica Semi desert, Sivery scented leaves, creamy flowers Salvia lanigera silvery leaves, blue-purple flowers, Shoubak Salvia multicaulis Rare, green form of this species, Dana Salvia verbenacea Amman, Shaat Salvia viridis widespread Stachys neurocalycina Jarash

LEGUMINOSAE Anagyris foetida large shrub, cascading yellow-green flowers, A- Salt Astragalus caprinus Shoubak Astragalus callichorus prostrate habit, curly fruits, pink flowers, Syrian Border Astragalus Kahiricus Low habit, coins like leaves, yellow flowers, Wadi Rum Astragalus sanctus Prostrate habit, linear, dissected silvery leaves, large cerise flowers, Petra Astragalus spinosus Large spiny shrub, pink flowers, Danna Calicotome villosa common, scented yellow flowers on thorny shrub Colutea istria shrub, yellow flowers, big puffed fruits, dry rocky habitat, Dana Crotalaria aegyptiaca Narrowly stemmed shrub, yellow flowers, Wadi Rum Lathyrus pseudocicera annual, orange colored pea like flowers, widespread. Lupinus pilosus stunning blue flowers, Wadi Shueb Ononis natrix Madaba Retama raetam common shrub, white scented flowers Pisum fulvum Ajloun Trifolium clypeatum white flowers with pink tubes, common in the Med. region Trigonella Arabica Small plant white flowers Vicia hybrida annual climber, white and yellow bicolor flowers, Jarash Vicia narbonensis dark purple flowers, widespread

LILIACEAE Fritillaria persica Karak, Petra, Wadi Rum Gagea comutata large star - shaped yellow flowers, Mediterranean areas Gagea fibrosa similar to the above, Jordan Valley Gagea reticulata Filiforme leaves, Syrian Border Tulipa agenensis Wadi Shuweb, Ajloun

LINACEAE Linum pubescens Pink flowers, purple - Blue center

LORANTHACEA Plicosepalus acaciae Red flowered parasitic on Acacia trees, Jordan Valley, Wadi Araba

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Viscum cruciatum Dana, parasitic on Almond trees

MALVACEAE Abutilon fruticosum Near Wadi Rum, woody shrub with yellow flowers Alcea rufescens White flowering hollyhock, Wadi Mujib

MIMOSACEAE Acacia tortilis umbrella like trees, extremely dry areas in Accacia tortilis subsp raddiana curly fruits, Jordan Valley

MORINGACEAE Moringa peregrine cascading tree, like a gigantic Retama, hot Wadi around Dead Sea

OLEACEAE Olea europea widespread in Med. areas

ORBANCHACEAE Cistanche salsa Very showy colorful parasitic plant, Wadi Rum Cistanche tubolosa very showy, yellow flowers, parasitic plant, Dead Sea

ORCHIDACEAE Anacamptis papilonaceae A- Salt, Ajloun, Dibbin Epipactis veratrifolia Dead Sea Ophrys omegifera subsp. fleischmannii Dibbin Ophrys sphegodes subsp mammosa Dibbin Ophrys umbilicata Dibbin Orchis anatolica Ajloun, Dibbin Orchis galilea Dibbin

OXALIDACEAE Oxalis pes-carpae invasive, not native.

PAPAVERACEAE Glaucium arabicum large red flowers, under Mt. Nebo Glaucium corniculatum Red – orange flowers, Wadi Rum Hypecoum dimidiatum syn. H. imberbe, Yellow flowers Papaver polytrictum Madaba Rohemeria hybrida Purple flowers, under Mt. Nebo

PLANTAGINACEAE Plantago ciliata small, lanceolate leaves, Wadi Rum.

POLYGONACEAE Rheum palaestinum Wadi Rum Rumex cyprius Wadi Mujib

PRIMULACEAE Anagalis arvensis Blue – Flowers, Widespread Cyclamen persicum widespread

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RHAMNACEAE Ziziphus lotus large thorny shrub, Jordan Valley Ziziphus spina-christi Widespread, large tree, edible fruits

RANUNCULACEAE Adonis aestivalis Orange flower, semi desert areas Adonis dentata yellow flowering species, Judea and Negev Deserts. Adonis microcarpa Small red flowers, widespread Adonis palaestina Large Red Flower, Ajloun Anemone coronaria widespread, multi colors in the north, red in deserts. Clematis cirrhosa common in Med. areas Ficaria verna Ajloun Ranunculus asiaticus red flowers, widespread Ranunculus millefolius Jarash, Ajloun, Madaba

RESEDACEAE Reseda lutea yellow flowering sub shrub, Wadi Rajeb

ROSACEAE Amygdalus communis A-Salt Amygdalus korschinskii Big Shrub, Dana Sarcopoterium spinosum thorny cushion, Mediterranean region

SCROPHULARIACEAE Kickxia aegyptica Irbid Linaria haelava annual, yellow and purple forms, sandy areas in the deserts, common Misopates orontium annual, pink flowers, like small a snapdragon Verbascum fruticolosum undulate leaves, yellow flowers, common Veronica anagalis-aquatica Petra Veronica syriaca miniature showy annual, Ajloun

SOLANACEAE Hyoscyamus aureus Yellow flowers, Dark center, Jarash Hayoscyamus pusillus Annual, yellow, black center, sands in deserts, Wadi Rum Hyoscyamus reticulates dark netted flowers, cultivated fields, E. of Maa'n Mandragora autumnalis Ajloun, Dibbin Solanum sinaicum White flowers, Wadi Rum

STIRACACEAE Styrax officinalis Ajloun.

THYMELAEACEAE Thymelaea hirsute Shrub, tiny yellow flowers, Little Petra

URTICACEAE Forsskaolea tenacissima Dead Sea Urtica pilulifera Common

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ZYGOPHYLLACEAE Fagonia Arabica Dead Sea Fagonia glutinosa Prostrate habit, pink flowers, sticky leaves, Sands in the deserts. Fagonia mollis long thorns, Dead Sea Zygophyllum dumosum shrub, small glaucous leaves, many white flowers, common, Deserts

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Systematic Lists - Fauna

Reptiles Agama sinaita Sinai Agama Petra Eierenis coronella Crown Dwarf Snake Laudakia stellio Roughtail Rock Agama Jerash, Ajloun Acanthodactylus scutellatus Wadi Rum Tropiocolotes nattereri Sand Gecko Wadi Rum

Butterflies Madais fausta Jerash Papilo machon Jerash Dendrolimus bufo Ajloun Amicta quadrangularis Wadi -Rum

Rodents Psammomys obesus Fat Sand Rat Ras – A – Naqab

INSECTS Leiurus quinquestriatus Petra Latrodectus Alba White widow Petra Latrodectus tredecimguttatus Black widow Prionoteca coronata Wadi – Rum Poekilocerus bufonius Usher-Hopper Petra

BIRDS

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Alectoris chukar Chukar Dana Ammoperdix heyi Sand Partridge Dana Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle Near Shoubak Aquila pomarina Lesser spotted Eagle Aqaba Athene noctua Little Owl Bareige Buteo Buteo Common Buzzard Widespread Calandrella brachydactyla Greater Short-toed Lark Bareige, Irbid Columba livia Rock Pigeon Petra Corvus rhipidurus Fan-tailed Raven Petra Corvus splendens House Crow Aqaba Erittacus rubecula European Robin Widespread Falco biarmicus Lanner Falcon Petra Galerida cristata Crested Lark Widespread Garrulus glandarius Eurasian Jay Jarash, Ajluon Gyps fulvus Eurasian Griffon Vulture Ras- A- Naqab Halycyon smayrensis White Breasted Kingfisher Jordan Valley Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt Aqaba Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Jordan Valley Lanius meridionalis Southern Grey Shrike Shoubak Motacilla alba White wagtail Widespread Nectarinia osea Wadi Araba Oenanthe deserti Desert Wheatear Wadi Rum Oenanthe monaca Hooded wheatear Dead Sea, Wadi Shu'ayeb Onychoganthus tristramii Tristram's starling Dead Sea Phoenicurus ochruros Black Redstart Petra Pycnonotus xanthopygos Spectcled Bulbul Widespread Streptopelia decaocto Eurasian collared Dove Jordan Valley Streptopelia senegalensis Laughing Dove Widespread Vanellus spinosus Spur-winged Lapwing Aqaba

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