Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Notes on some common flora and its uses in Wadi Gaza, Gaza Strip

2015; Islamic University of Gaza; Volume: 16; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

2410-292X

Abdel Fattah N. Abd Rabou, Maged M. Yassin, Mohammed R. Al-Agha, Mohammed I Madi, Mirvat M Al-Wali, Abdel Karim S Ali, Dawi M Hamad,

African Botany and Ecology Studies

Wadi Gaza is an indispensable part of natural life in Palestine and has a rich biodiversity in terms of fauna and flora. This study aims at surveying the common flora of Wadi Gaza ecosystem during the spring season of 2004 and providing notes on their possible uses by the Palestinian community depending on direct observations, discussions with local people and available literature. As many as 70 plant species belonging to 32 families and 24 orders were identified during the spring months of 2004 in Wadi Gaza. The aster or daisy family (Compositae) was the largest family and comprised 14 plant species (20%) of the recorded species. The natural flora of Wadi Gaza was commonly used in different ways as a food source, herbal medicine, fodder for grazing animals and timber and fuel production. The other direct human uses for specific floristic species were also mentioned. Many wildlife species were found to utilize the wild vegetation of Wadi Gaza for multi-purposes as well. Finally, the authors recommend carrying out detailed scientific works regarding the ecology, distribution and uses of particular floristic species in the Gaza Strip. Key words: Flora – survey – uses – herbal medicine – Wadi Gaza – Gaza Strip