General Appearance
Melilotus sulcatus Desf., it is an annual herb that is practically glabrous, branched, with branches either erect or decumbent, which can reach 50 cm. Stipules welded to the petioles, subulate. Trifoliate leaves with the terminal leaflet petiolulate, narrowly elliptical or oblanceolate and the lateral ones almost sessile, oblong; all cuneate and with margins sparsely serrulate from the base. Very aromatic flowers, pediceled, in awned axillary clusters, elongated after flowering. Calyx with 5 almost equal teeth, campanulate, glabrous, first green, then tinted in fruiting. Corolla drooping, yellow, larger than the calyx, banner longer than the wings but shorter than the keel. Indehiscent pods, larger than the calyx, 2.5-4 mm long, sessile, glabrous, ovoid, with a rounded apex and a persistent style, straw-colored when dry and with many well-marked concentric grooves. Seeds, 1 per pod, c. 2.1-2.6 x 1.5-1.7 mm, ovoid-ellipsoid, with visible root and cotyledonal lobes, matte, greenish-yellow, golden ocher in color when aged. Warty surface. Very small thread, almost punctate, partially hidden by remains of the funicle. Lens visible, practically confluent with the thread.
Flowering in: Mar-May.
Life Form
Phytochoria
Distribution in Libya
Al-Jafarah Plain: Tripoli 1976,1978 Mallaha Wetland Tripoli 2016 Sabratha region 2020 Coastal of Tripoli 2020
Zliten-Misurata Plain: Ain Kaam 1978 Leptus Megna 2004 Kaam area 2005 Misurata 2006 Wadi Kaam (Estuary) 2022
Benghazi Plain: Msus-Al-Ajramia zone 2004 Wadi El-Ghattara 2010 Between Slouk and Al-Abiar 2016 (35 Km) South East of Benghazi (adjacent to the Jardinah village) 2020
Jabal Nafusa: Ain Rumia 1968 Kaleba 1974 Misallata, hafs area. c. (8 km) S. of Gussbat 1978 Misallata (Shaafeen) 2008 Msallata-Garaboulli Province 2020 Gharyan (Sedrores Mountains) 2020
Al-Jabal Al-Akhder: Around Al-Abiar 1970 Shahat 1978 Wadi Al-Agar 1999 Wadi Zaza 2003 Gebel Akhder 2007 Gaber Jera 2013 Valley Jarjr-oma 2013 Wadi El-Kouf 2014 Sidi Abu-Ras 2017 Wadi Om-El-Amaym 2019 Al-Abiar (Sidi Amohamed forest) 2020 Wadi Al-Kouf 2021 Wadi Om-El-Amaym 2024
Marmarica Plateau: Reported in Marmarica north-eastern part of Libya by Pampanini 1930 Marmarica (north-eastern part of Libya) 2002
Notes
Wild in Libya, medicinal plant.
This species is accepted: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:507047-1
Link of images: https://www.florandalucia.es/index.php/melilotus-sulcatus, https://floressilvestresdelmediterraneo.blogspot.com/2017/02/leguminosae-melilotus-sulcatus.html, https://jb.utad.pt/especie/Melilotus_sulcatus, https://www.atlasdesemillasdecanarias.org/atlas/ficha.php?ID=203
For more information
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:507047-1, https://www.ipni.org/n/507047-1, https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000185398, https://www.gbif.org/species/2971112, https://africanplantdatabase.ch/en/nomen/specie/147308/melilotus-sulcatus-desf, https://www.atlasdesemillasdecanarias.org/atlas/ficha.php?ID=203, https://www.maltawildplants.com/FABC/Melilotus_sulcatus.php, https://www.florandalucia.es/index.php/melilotus-sulcatus, https://www.cretanflora.com/Melilotus%20sulcatus.html, https://flora.org.il/en/plants/MELSUL/, https://jb.utad.pt/especie/Melilotus_sulcatus
First: Encyclopedia Flora of Libyan:
Jafri, S.M.H. & El-Gadi, A. (1980) Flora of Libya, Fabaceae Vol. (86) Department of Botany, Al-Faateh Univ., Tripoli, Libya. Page. 217.
Second: Researches and PhD theses, master theses, Sorted by Newest:
El-farse, M.H., Omar. N., Al-Zerbi, A.K., Alaib, M.A. El-Awamie, M.W., Bleiblo, F.A. (2024.) Floristic Diversity, Life-Form Composition, and Anthropogenic Pressures on The Vegetation of Wadi om-El-Amaym in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Northeastern Libya. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR). Volume 6, Issue 6, November-December 2024 ● Website: http://www.ijfmr.com, https://www.ijfmr.com/papers/2024/6/33405.pdf, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Muftah-Elfarse-2
Floristic diversity of wadi om El-Amaym in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar 2024
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
Al-Traboulsi, M. & Alaib, M.A. (2021) A Survey of medicinal plants of Wadi Al-Kouf in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya. NAT. CROAT, VOL. 30. No 2. (389-404), ZAGREB. December 31, 2021. https://hrcak.srce.hr/269442, https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/390805
Medicinal plants of Wadi Al-Kouf in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya. 2021
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
Al-Amrouni, M, M., Al-Zarbi, A., Al-Aeb, M. A. (2020) Study of vegetation cover in Sidi Amohamed forest north of the city of Al-Abyar in the Al-Jabal Al-Al-Akhdar. Libya. Journal of Quality Assurance for Scientific Research-The First Issue-April-2020 (In Arabic). https://lqac.org.ly/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/PDF-1.pdf, https://independent.academia.edu/ABDULHAMIDALZERBI
دراسة الغطاء النباتي بغابة سيدي امحمد شمال مدينة الابياربالجبل الاخضر.2020
Al-khojah, H.M., Al-Yafour, L.A., Mahklouf, M.H. (2020) Floristic Study of Selected Districts in Sabratha region Libya. J. of Advanced Botany and Zoology Volume 7/Issue 4 ISSN: 2348-7313. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=2s5EMysAAAAJ&hl=ar, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohammed-Mahklouf
Floristic Study of Selected Districts in Sabratha region Libya. 2020.
El-Ahmir, S.M., Mahklouf, M.H., Shanta, M.B., Abo-Jaafer, H.A. (2020) Floristic Study of Sedrores Mountains in Gharyan District-Libya. J. of Advanced Botany and Zoology. Volume 8 / Issue 1. ISSN: 2348-7313. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sh-Hoob-El-Ahmir, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohammed-Mahklouf
Floristic Study of Sedrores Mountains in Gharyan District – Libya. 2020
El-Taguri, H.M., El-Mogasapi, A.M., El-Barasi, Y.M. (2020) Weed Flora of Man-Made river agriculture project (Masiklo). Libyan Journal of Science & Technology 11:1 (2020) 61-64. http://repository.uob.edu.ly/bitstream/handle/123456789/1291/15.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Abdusslam-Elmogasapi, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yacoub-El-Barasi, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341993267_Weed_Flora_of_Man-Made_river_agriculture_project_Masiklo
Weed Flora of Man-Made river agriculture project (Masiklo). Libya.2020
Mahklouf, M.H. (2020) Biodiversity of the coastal flora of Tripoli Province. Biodiv. Res. Conserv. 58: 13-19, 2020. BRC http://www.brc.amu.edu.pl, http://brc.amu.edu.pl/pdf-127341-54763?filename=Biodiversity%20of%20the.pdf, http://brc.amu.edu.pl/Issue-58-2020,9131
Biodiversity of the coastal flora of Tripoli Province. 2020
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
El-farse, M.H. (2019) Study of the vegetation of Wadi Om-El-Amaym in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar region. Master Thesis- department of environmental science and engineering, Academy of post graduate studies, Benghazi, Libya. (In Arabic).
El-Zerbi, A. K. & Al-Aib, M.A. (2017) Study of vegetation cover in Sidi Bouras region, Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya. Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering JESE, VOL. 1, No. 1, January 2017. (In Arabic) https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Abdulhamid-Alzerbi, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326461390_aalkhdr_baljbl_bwras_sydy_bmntqt_alnbaty_alghta_drast-lybya
دراسة الغطاء النباتي بمنطقة سيدي بوراس –الجبل الاخضر 2017
Mahklouf, M.H. &Al-Sghair, F.G. (2016) Floristic and Inventory Study of Mallaha Wetland Tripoli – Libya. American Journal of Life Science Researches, Oct 2016, Volume 4, Issue 4.PP(119-123) https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohammed-Mahklouf, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310898871_Floristic_and_Inventory_Study_of_Mallaha_Wetland_Tripoli_-_Libya
Floristic and Inventory Study of Mallaha Wetland Tripoli – Libya. 2016.
Raheel, RO. M., El-Borasi, Y. M., El-Barrani, M. W., El-Hassi, S. (2016) Study of Flora and vegetation cover of the semi-desert area between Salouq and Al-Abyar-the first high of Jabal Al-Akhdar-Libya, Fourth Scientific Conference for Environment and Sustainable Development In dry and semi-arid areas. Ajdabia. Libya. (In Arabic) https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yacoub-El-Barasi, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rebeh-Rahil
دراسة الفلورا والغطاء النباتي للمنطقة الشبه صحراوية الممتدة بين مدينتي سلوق والابيار . 2016
El-Mokasabi, F M. (2014) Floristic Composition and Traditional Uses of Plant Species at Wadi Al-kuf, Al-Jabal Al-Akhder, Libya. American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 14 (8): 685-697, 2014, ISSN 1818-769,IDOSI Publications,2014DOI:10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2014.14.08.12375. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/441b/23b83960f007044aca94e26f5c6b170fe102.pdf
Plant Species at Wadi Alkuf, Al-Jabal Al-Akhder, Libya 2014
Abusaief, H. M. A. (2013) Life forms and rangeland for many habitats of Jarjar oma in Al-Jabal Al- Akhdar on Mediterranean Sea. Journal of American Science 2013;9(5) http://www.jofamericanscience.org/journals/am-sci/am0905/029_17747am0905_236_249.pdf
Life forms and rangeland for many habitats of Jarjar oma in Al- Jabal Al- Akhdar. 2013
Al-Tajouri, A., Al-Aaeb, M.A., Al-Zarbi, A. K. (2013) Barley crop contamination with weed seeds in Gaber-Jira farms in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya. Journal of Benghazi University of Science-the third and fourth edition (45-53). (In Arabic). https://search.mandumah.com/Record/838987
تلوث محصول الشعير ببذور الحشائش بمزارع قبر جيرة بالجبل الاخضر. 2013- صفحة 45 -53.
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
Mohammed, S.A.H. (2008) A taxonomic and ecological study of the plants of the Shaafin Reserve in Masalatah. Master Thesis. Department of Biology-Faculty of Arts and Sciences-Al-Mirqab University. Al-Khums. Libya. (In Arabic).
El-Barasi, Y.M. & Mohammad, J.F. (2007) Comparative Study of the Seed Bank of Arable Land and Natural Vegetation in El-Jabal El-Akhdar Plateau and Coastal Zone. Journal of Science and Its Applications, Garyounis University Press, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp 1-14. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yacoub-El-Barasi
Seed Bank of Arable Land and Natural Vegetation in El-Jabal El-Akhdar. 2007
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).
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-Jetlawi A.O.(2004) Study of vegetation and soil seed bank of a range desert zone (Msus-Al-Ajramia), Master of Science Thesis, Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya (In Arabic).
El-Barasi, Y. M., EI-Sherif, l. M. & Gawhari, A. M. H. (2003) Checklist and analysis of the flora and vegetation of Wadi Zaza at AI-Jabal AI Akhdar (Cyrenaica, Libya). Bocconea 16 (2): 1091-1105. 2003. – ISSN 1120-4060. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yacoub-El-Barasi, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ahmed-Gawhari, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281559070_Checklist_and_analysis_of_the_flora_and_vegetation_of_Wadi_Zaza_at_AI-Jabal_AI_Akhdar_Cyrenaica_Libya
Flora and vegetation of Wadi Zaza at Al-Jabal AI Akhdar 2003-مضغوط
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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