Skip to main content

Centropodia forskaolii (Vahl) Cope

قصبا

Syn. Avena forskaolii Vahl

Sword-leaved Helleborine
Poaceae
  • Morphological Description
    • Description
      Small tussocky perrenial grass up to 30 cm tall. Leaves up to 8 cm long, 3-5 mm wide, flat or rolled, linear, glaucous, densely pubescent with very short hairs, acuminate-pungent; ligule a rim of long hairs. Panicle usually 5-15 cm long, dense. Spikelets 2-3 flowered, 5-7 mm long, usually straw-coloured; glume subequal, up to 7 mm long; anthers 0.5-1.2 mm long.
  • Habitat and Distribution
    • Geographical Distribution Range
      This Irano-Turanian - Saharo-Arabian species is distributed across Sahara, Middle East and Indian subcontinent from Mauritania to Pakistan. Within the Arabian Peninsula, it is native to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Gulf States, Oman and Yemen.
  • Ecology
    • Phenology
      Jan
      Feb
      Mar
      Apr
      May
      Jun
      Jul
      Aug
      Sep
      Oct
      Nov
      Dec
      Flowering
      Fructification
    • IUCN Red List Category
      Not Evaluated IUCN Icon
      Not Evaluated
    • Remarks
      This species includes two accepted varieties, but only one present in Saudi Arabia: Centropodia forskaolii subsp. forskaolii (Vahl) Cope.
  • Uses and Values
    • Other Usages
      Palatable
    • Description of Traditional Uses
      No specific documented uses were identified in accessible literature.
Gallery
Centropodia forskaolii on Sand dune
Whole plant
Centropodia forskaolii leaves
Whole plant
Whole plant
Centropodia forskaolii flowers