Abstract

Mohamed A. Fadl, Hussein F. Farrag*, Al-Sherif E. A.

Fabaceae (leguminous species) is the third-largest family of angiosperms. Floristical and vegetation analysis studies of wild leguminous species in Taif, Saudi Arabia were the prime aims of the current work. General survey of the studied area resulted to the selection of three different locations (Alshafa area (with its different habitats), Wadi seesed and Taif Hawia road (cutting many small wadies)) to study wild legumes in Taif. Twenty-six legume species with their chorology, life forms and associated species in various sites of Taif district were recorded. Soil analyses showed slight alkaline reaction with pH values (7.90- 8.02) and electric conductivity ranged between 0.84 and 7.31 (mmhos/cm). Soil mechanical analyses of the studied sites showed the appearance of sandy texture in most cases with exception of Wadi Seesed site. Acacia gerrardii was the most common species; it recorded in all localities of variable ecological conditions. Life forms of plants were dominated by phanerophytes. TWINSPAN classification of the associated species indicated eight different groups. Five new taxa recorded as naturalized in Taif district, Parkinsonia aculeata, Leucaena leucocephala, Pithecellobium dulce, Acacia saligna and A. melanoxylon. The study increases the knowledge of wild legume ecology in the studied area to maximize its use.