General Appearance
Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad., it is a perennial monoecious plant, with somewhat woody tuberous root. Stems hispid, up to 2 m long, procumbent, branched, with tendrils. Leaves petiolate, 1- to 2-pinnatisect with wave margins. Flowers small, yellow, axillary, solitary. Male flowers on long pedicels, calyx campanulate, 9 (4-8) mm tall, lobes 5 mm broad, corolla pale yellow, ovate-acute, 8 mm long and 5 mm broad; female flowers on longer pedicels than male, receptacle-tube short, lobes lanceolate, 5 mm long. Fruit spherical, at first green, succulent but later yellow, dry, lightweight, floating. The seeds are obovate to obovate-elliptic, flattened, and pale greenish-yellow. The seed coat is reticulate-foveate.
Flowering in: Almost the year.
Life Form
Phytochoria
Distribution in Libya
Al-Jafarah Plain: Sabrata 2008 Jafara Plain (Wadi Ghado) 2015 Sidi-Omeer 2016
Zliten-Misurata Plain: Leptus Megna 2004 Kaam area 2005 Misurata 2006, 2008 Misurata (Sassu Valley) 2016
Sirte Plains: (7 km) from Bugrain to Al Buayrat 1967
Benghazi Plain: Wadi El-Ghattara 2010 Wadi El-Enaghar 2021
Jabal Nafusa: (25 km) from Nalut to Wazen, Kabau 1974 Gasar Akhiar, Ghanima 2016 Msallata-Garaboulli Province 2020 Wadi Kaam (Main cours) 2022
Al-Jabal Al-Akhder: Wadi Al-Agar 1999 Wadi Derna 2017 From Nuqrat Said to Wadi Al-Zagzoog 2019
Marmarica Plateau: Marmarica (north-eastern part of Libya) 2002 Dafna region (Tobruk to Msaid) 2008
Al-Qibla area: Wadi Nesma region 2009 Wadis South of Mizda 2013
Al-Jufra area: EL-Harouge mountain 2012 EL-Jufra 2018
Al-Kufra area: Al-Kufra 2018
Ghat area: Ghat, Barkat 1976 Ghat (Between Acacus and Tassili Mountains) 2004 Wadi Tanezzuft 2012
Jabal Al-Uwinat: Gebel Uweinat 1968 Jabal Al-Uweinat region 2008
Notes
Wild, a desert species. common almost throughout Libya, medicinal plant.
This species is accepted: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:291930-1
Link of images: https://atlas-sahara.org/Cucurbitaceae/Citrullus%20colocynthis/Citrullus%20colocynthis.html, https://dryades.units.it/floritaly/index.php?procedure=taxon_page&tipo=all&id=3312, https://www.atlasdesemillasdecanarias.org/atlas/ficha.php?ID=51, https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/citrullus_colocynthis.htm, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrullus_colocynthis
For more information
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:291930-1, https://www.ipni.org/n/291930-1, https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000607845, https://www.gbif.org/species/2874622, https://africanplantdatabase.ch/en/nomen/specie/25846/citrullus-colocynthis-l-schrad, https://atlas-sahara.org/Cucurbitaceae/Citrullus%20colocynthis/Citrullus%20colocynthis.html, https://www.atlasdesemillasdecanarias.org/atlas/ficha.php?ID=51, https://flora.org.il/en/plants/CITCOL/, https://dryades.units.it/floritaly/index.php?procedure=taxon_page&tipo=all&id=3312, https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/citrullus_colocynthis.htm, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrullus_colocynthis
First: Encyclopedia Flora of Libyan:
Jafri, S.M.H. & El-Gadi, A. (1977) Flora of Libya, Cucuribitaceae Vol. (32) Department of Botany, Al-Faateh Univ., Tripoli, Libya. Page. 14.
Second: Researches and PhD theses, master theses, Sorted by Newest:
Almushghub, F., Ahmed, D., Sharaf El-Din, A., Shaltout, k. (2022) Vegetation analysis of Wadi Kaam at northwest Libya. Journal of Basic and Environmental Sciences, 9 (2022) 20-37. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357516127_Vegetation_analysis_of_Wadi_Kaam_at_northwest_Libya, https://jbes.journals.ekb.eg/article_372060_558ee8095e2cf97881a8a3cc705aa126.pdf
Vegetation analysis of Wadi Kaam at northwest Libya.2022
Omar, N., El-Mghrbi, N.G., Rahil, R.O., Alaib, M.A., Alzerbi, A.K. (2021) Floristic Composition and Plant Diversity of Western Part of Wadi El- Enaghar, Libya. Species-22(70), 2021. pp. (204-217). http://www.discoveryjournals.org/Species/current_issue/2021/v22/n70/index.htm, http://www.discoveryjournals.org/Species/current_issue/2021/v22/n70/A4.pdf
Floristic Composition and Plant Diversity of Western Part of Wadi El- Enaghar, Libya. 2021.-مضغوط
Saaed, M.W.B., EL-Barasi, Y.M. & Rahil, R.O. (2021) An updated checklist and quantitative analysis of the Marmarica Plateau flora, in the north-eastern part of Libya. Phytotaxa 509 (1): 001-055. https://phytotaxa.mapress.com/pt/article/view/phytotaxa.509.1.1
An-updated-checklist-and-quantitative-analysis-of-the-Marmarica-Plateau-flora-مضغوط
Mahklouf, M.H., Sherif, A.S., Betelmal, A.G. (2020) Floristic Study and Species Diversity of Msallata-Garaboulli Province in Libya. J. of Advanced Botany and Zoology Volume 7 / Issue 3 ISSN: 2348-7313. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohammed-Mahklouf, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341306643_Floristic_Study_and_Species_Diverisy_of_Msallata-Garaboulli_Province_in_Libya
Floristic Study and Species Diverisy of Msallata-Garaboulli Province. 2020
Ali, A. M., Lashhab, S. R., Abu-Aweena, A. A.M. (2019) Classification of vegetation cover and its geographical distribution in the area extending between Al-Haniya and Wadi Zagzoog in the north to Lasastata and Bishtaya in the south. Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar eastern Libya. Issue (61) Journal of Science and Human Studies- Al-Marj-University of Benghazi-Libya (In Arabic). https://www.researchgate.net/profile/sd-lshhb, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339238955_tsnyf_alghta_alnbaty_wtwzyh_aljghrafy_fy_almntqt_almmtdt_ma_byn_alhnyt_wwady_alzqzwq_shmala_hty_lstath_wbshtaya_jnwba_aljbl_alakhdr_shrq_lybya
EL-Barasi,Y.M., Bader, B.M., Barrani. M.W., EL-Hashani, N.M. and Alamrouni, A.O. (2018) Ecological studies on EL-Jufra Desert Depression., https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yacoub-El-Barasi, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323990883_Ecological_studies_On_EL-Jufra_Desert_Depression
Ecological studies on EL-Jufra Desert Depression. 2018
Mohamed, M. I. & Bouhabbal, A.A. (2018) A study on plant diversity in the Kufra depression. The fifth Scientific Conference of Environment and Sustainable Development in the Arid and Semi- Arid Regions (ICESD) -From 23-25 July-2018. Ajdabiya University-Libya. (In Arabic).
Ab-Aziza, F.B., El–Barasi, Y.M. and Rahil, R.O. (2017) Flora, Vegetation and Human Activities of Wadi Derna-El-Jabal. Research article I Botany l Version 1. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Fatma-Abuaziza, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yacoub-El-Barasi, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rebeh-Rahil
Flora, Vegetation and Human Activities of Wadi Derna. 2017
Aljarroushi, M.M. & Almedham, K. E. (2016) Geographical distribution and Life form of plants in Sassu Valley, Misurata area, Libya. Al-satil Vol. 10 No. 15 March 2016. (In Arabic) https://search.mandumah.com/Record/813441
Geographical distribution and Life form of plants in Sassu Valley, Misurata area. 2016
Najah, A. M. (2016) The Natural Plant (Sidi Omir-Kasr El Khiar-Ghanima) as a model. Journal of Humanities, Scientific and Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Qasr Kheyar, Al-Mirqab University, Issue 2, pp. (109-145). (In Arabic) http://khsj.elmergib.edu.ly/2016_2_ar.pdf
Abu Hadra, M. N. & Harkat, Z. M. (2015) A taxonomic study of the components of vegetation covers and notes on the environmental impact of Wadi Ghado in the Jafara Plain region in Libya. Professor magazine-Issue 8-University of Tripoli.(In Arabic) https://www.uotpa.org.ly/alostath/index.php/alostath/issue/view/8
دراسة تصنيفية لمكونات الغطاء النباتي بوادي غدو بمنطقة سهل الجفارة في ليبيا. 2015
Mohamed, F.J. (2013) A Taxonomic Study of Wadis Flora South of Mizda at the intersections with Mizda-Sebha Highway. Master Thesis. Department of Botany-Faculty of Science-Sebha University. Libya. (In Arabic).
El-Barasi, Y.M. & Barrani, M.W. (2012) Factors affecting natural vegetation on EL-Harouge Mountain, Central part of Libyan Desert (Sahara). Bocconea 24: 199-211. 2012. -ISSN 1120-4060. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yacoub-El-Barasi, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Manam-Saaed-2, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323991132_Factors_Affecting_Natural_vegetation_on_EL-Harouge_mountain_Central_part_of_Libyan_desert_Sahara
Factors affecting natural vegetation on EL-Harouge Mountain. 2012
Mukassabi, T.A, Ahmidat, G., Sherif, I.M., ELMogasapi, A. (2012) Checklist and life forms of plant species in contrasting climatic zones of Libya. Biological Diversity and Conservation – 5 / 3 (2012) https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/biodicon/issue/55888/765799. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259357995_Checklist_and_life_forms_of_plant_species_in_contrasting_climatic_zones_of_Libya
Checklist and life forms of plant species in contrasting climatic zones of Libya. 2012
El-Rabiai, G.T., Al tira, F.M., Lamlom, S.H. (2010) Preliminary Checklist for the Flora of Wadi El Ghattara in Libya. Garyounis University Press Journal of Science and Its Applications Vol. 4, No. 1, pp 39-47, December 2010. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Wz8jpkIAAAAJ&hl=ar, https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ALTsoucAAAAJ&hl=en, https://journals.uob.edu.ly/index.php/sjuob/issue/view/71
Checklist for the Flora of Wadi El Ghattara in Libya. 2010
Bahri, N.M. (2009) Study of the vegetation covers of Wadi Nesma region, northwest of Libya. Master Thesis, Department of Botany, College of Science, Sebha University, Libya. (In Arabic).
Alzwai, A.M.H. (2008) A study of the vegetation covers of the Jabal Al-Uweinat region in Libya. Master Thesis – Botany Department – College of Science – Garyounis University – Libya. (In Arabic).
Baayo, Kh. A. (2008): Floristic composition and Phytochorological Analysis of Misratah area, Libya, Assiut Univ.J. of Botany 37(2), P-P. 33-78 (2008).
Barrani, M. W. (2008) A study of environmental degradation factors in the semi-desert Dafna Region-Libya. Master Thesis-Department of Science and environmental Engineering-Postgraduate Academy Benghazi branch. (In Arabic).
El-Yafour, L. A. (2008) Taxonomic study of the vegetation properties of Sabratha city Master Thesis. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Al-Zawiya University, Libya. (In Arabic).
Al-Dana, S. M. M. (2006) Taxonomic study of wild flower plants in some areas of Misrata. Master Thesis, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Misurata University (7 October previously) Misurata, Libya. (In Arabic).
Al-Shif, N. S. (2005) a taxonomic study of the plants of the Kaam region. Master Thesis, College of Science, Al-Marqab University, Al-Khums, Libya. (In Arabic).
Ahmidat, Gh. (2004) Study of the vegetation cover of the area between the Acacus Mountains and the Tassili Mountains (Ghat). Master Thesis. Department of Botany.College of Science. Sebha University. Libya. (In Arabic).
El-Komati, A. F. (2004) Medicinal plants in the Shapiat of Marqab, their distribution, classification and importance. Master Thesis. Biology Department- Faculty of Science-Al-Marqab University. Al-Khums. Libya. (In Arabic).
El-Shaary M.S. (2002). The Natural Vegetation in Marmarica plateau (North-eastern Libya). First ed. Tobruk (Libya): Published by the local Authority. (In Arabic).
Al-Hamadi R.I. (1999) Floristic and ecological study of Wadi Al-Agar, Master Thesis, Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Botany Department-Faculty of Science-Garyounis University, Benghazi, Libya. (In Arabic).














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