A new record of a species from Zygophyllaceae for the Flora of Iraq with a taxonomic study: Tribulus arabicus Hosni

Abstract

During the field survey of wild plants in the spring of 2024, the species Tribulus arabicus Hosni, which belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family, was observed and collected for the first time in Iraq as a new species to the Flora of Iraq, specifically in Wadi Al-Ubaiyidh region, which is located between the latitude of 32° 2' 30" to 32° 3' 0" North, and the longitude of 42° 13' 30" to 42° 14' 0" East, adjacent to the Al-Nukhaib sub-district, located at an altitude of 305 m., and approximately 120 km. North of the Iraqi-Saudi border within the Western Desert District (DWD) of Iraq. The species was identified based on the Floras of neighboring countries, which was preceded by a comprehensive review of scientific references for wild plants, and all Herbaria was carried out to confirm the absence of species in Iraq. The species was also subjected to taxonomic treatment by studying the reproductive and vegetative organs, as well as the anatomical description of the transverse section of the stem. А mар of Iraq and a satellite image showing the distribution of the species have been placed. A morphological comparison was made between the newly recorded species and the similar species (Tribulus macropterus Boiss.), which grows in Iraq. For the documentation of the new record for the species, some plant specimens were deposited in the Iraqi National Herbarium (BAG), Baghdad University Herbarium (BUH), and Anbar University Herbarium (AUH).