A field study to restricted poisonous wild plants grown in Al-Kharj region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study was aimed to define and collect different poisonous plant species that grow in Al-Kharj region, Saudi Arabia and are detrimental to human and livestock. A total of 16 plant species belonging to 12 families were recorded in the current study. These plants were met through surveys conducted by herbalists and smart citizens with skills and experience in the field of toxic plants in the region. For each species reported, botanical and vernacular names, families, and toxic principles are recognized. The most dominant and widespread toxic flowering plants reported in the studied area were the clan of Calotropis procera and Rhazya stricta. Other less widespread poisonous plants such as Citrullus colocynthis, Heliotropium bacciferum, Cassia italica, Alhagi maurorum, Capparis spinosa, Tribulus terrestris and Euphorbia helioscopia as well as Convolvulus arvensis, Zygophyllum coccineum were also observed.