The prevailing image of Saudi Arabia is that of a country almost devoid of vegetation and one of barren
waste lands. Sheila Collenette in her book 'An Illustrated guide to the Flowers of Saudi Arabia' records
1500 species of flora excluding grasses and mosses, which bear ample witness to the great diversity of the
Kingdom's flora.

This page is neither meant to picture all flowers of the kingdom nor for any authentic study of the genus
but only to sample the diversity of flora in the region. The time of the day and area where it was spotted
has been provided for each flower if it will be of help at any kind. Names of the flowers have been identified by the help of Sheila Collenette's book on flowers of Saudi Arabia.

Echinops

An erect branching spiny-leaved herb 1m high; very pale blue flowers in spherical heads 4cm wide; faint sweet scent; the spines do not extend beyond the open flowers and the stems are pale brownish. Widespread in the region.

Location & Time

Diriyyah area, 40 km NW of Riyadh

Afternoon, April

Cassia Italica

A rather straggly leafy branching herb with stems 20 cm long and large coarse leaflets; large yellow flowers 2.2 cm wide with darker veins; wide flat curved pods. Very widespread.

Location & Time

Al Hair area in Wadi Hanifah, 40 km SW of Riyadh

Afternoon, November