'IRAQ AND THE PERSIAN GULF' [‎135v] (275/862)

l88 CLIMATE, VEGETATION, AND FAUNA
The steppe communities in the north are largely dominated by one
of the mugweeds, Artemisia Herba-alba, a shrubby woolly member of
the daisy family, which prefers the deep grey steppe soil and com
pletely avoids saline or rocky soils. Haloxylon articulatum is often one
of its associates, and other perennial members of the goosefoot family
may also be present. A perennial constituent of this community, pro
minent in spring, is a grass, Poa sinaica, whose aerial parts shrivel
and disappear in the summer, the plant propagating itself by small
bulb-like structures arising from the thickened bases of the lowermost
leaves. This community has been seen beside the Ramadi-Rutba
road where the vegetation may cover up to a quarter of the surface of
the ground.
Salt-marsh Vegetation. In depressions and valleys where drainage
is poor, the surface remains damp for long periods, so that the degree
of salinity is intensified and salt-marshes or sabkhas are formed.
Under extreme conditions a glistening salty crust, resembling hoar
frost, is produced, which is completely toxic to plant life. But gener
ally the vegetation of a salt-marsh is fairly rich. Conditions are
favourable for maritime species, members of the goosefoot family
being very common. The following members of the family have been
recorded from sabkhas in the Syrian desert: Arthrocnemum glaucum,
a small bushy perennial shrub with curious jointed succulent
stems, rudimentary leaves, and dense greenish flower spikes; Salsola
tetrandra, another perennial shrub, whitish and hairy with tortuous
branches and minute leaves; Atriplex halimus, a silvery white bush
up to 3 feet high with woody spreading branches; and Suaeda
monoica, a showy shrub up to 16 feet high, with yellowish branches,
fleshy leaves, and with small crimson berry-like fruits. Other con
stituents of salt-marshes include the sea rush, Juncus maritimus\ a
grass, Aeluropus repens ; and Nitraria retusa, a tall shrub with fleshy
leaves belonging to the Zygophyllaceae. These plants, because of
their succulence, are much prized as fodder by the nomads, by whom
they are known as hamdh. In addition, several species of tamarisk
(Tamarix) are frequently found in salty areas. These are graceful
evergreen trees or shrubs with slender erect branches, small green
scale-like leaves, and long spikes of whitish or pinkish flowers.
Spring Vegetation. The advent of rain brings forth its spate of
fleeting annuals and bulbous perennials. Green shoots appear be
tween the grey xerophytic bushes and in a few weeks bright blooms
enliven the scene. Rainfall, however, in some desert localities is so
uncertain that, although initial germination may start, the seedlings