Northwestern Saudi Arabia

Discover and Identify
the Plants of AlUla

Species of the Day

Gisekia pharnaceoides L.

A Hyper-Arid Land Shaped by a Billion Years of Geology

AlUla County, located in northwestern Saudi Arabia, is a hyper-arid region typically characterized by hot summers and low annual rainfall. The region’s landscapes reflect a geological history spanning over a billion years, ranging from ancient Precambrian rocks to sandstone formations and volcanic terrain.

460: recorded vascular plant taxa
250: represented in this app

The Region

The Environment of AlUla

AlUla County, in northwestern Saudi Arabia, is a hyper-arid land where nearly one billion years of geology lie exposed: ancient mountains, carved sandstones, sand plains and dunes, and vast basalt lava fields. These contrasting landscapes shape the habitats and the plants that survive in them.

Climate

AlUla has a hot desert climate, typical of much of Saudi Arabia: very hot summers, mild winters, extremely low humidity and very little rain.

Geology

AlUla's landscape records a geological history spanning nearly one billion years, with a great variety of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks exposed over a relatively small area.

Flora and Vegetation

AlUla lies within the deserts and xeric shrublands biome, at the meeting point of several ecoregions, and roughly midway between two global biodiversity hotspots: the Mediterranean basin and the Horn of Africa.

Environmental Degradation

Overgrazing, woodcutting, off-road driving and climate change put growing pressure on AlUla's fragile desert habitats, which can take decades to recover.

Learn more about AlUla

Habitats

Volcanics Sandstone Landforms Sandy Plains and Dunes Mountains and Associated Plains Wadis and Ephemeral Flooded Depressions Agricultural Lands

These diverse systems support a rich variety of plant life, with 460 recorded vascular plant taxa, of which 250 are represented here. This botanical heritage includes species endemic to Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula, as well as species with ranges restricted to northwestern Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries. The region is also home to various bryophytes and lichens.

Although AlUla possesses significant phytodiversity, many species have not yet been fully assessed; some are classified as "Data Deficient." Continued research and conservation efforts are therefore crucial to understanding and protecting the habitats and flora characteristic of the area. (see Abdulkareem et al., 2026)

About Us

This web application provides an online database about the Flora of AlUla. It is accessible for experts, local communities, students, tourists and nature lovers.
250 species are featured in the database, with more to come! Here you will also be able to:

Browse through the list of species using filters and search for species, families and genus
Access datasheets of plant species containing thematically organized information
Identify plant species using your own pictures of them