Flora diversity

Preserving Nature, Protecting Heritage, Sustaining the Future

Introduction to Flora Diversity

Flora diversity refers to the variety of plant species found within different ecosystems, ranging from forests and grasslands to deserts and wetlands. It represents a fundamental component of biodiversity and plays a vital role in sustaining life on Earth.

Plant diversity contributes significantly to environmental stability by supporting essential ecological processes such as oxygen production, soil conservation, and climate regulation. It also provides habitats and food sources for numerous organisms, forming the foundation of healthy and interconnected ecosystems.

Flora diversity in Palestine represents one of the richest botanical landscapes in the Mediterranean region. Our platform documents and preserves this vital ecological, scientific, and cultural heritage of plant life.

In Numbers: A Rich and Highly Endemic Flora Heritage in Palestine

Total Plant Species Documented

Distinct Plant Families

Endemic Species

Strictly Palestinian Species

Nature Conservation Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eco-Trail and Guided Visit

An-Najah students participate in an eco-trail and guided visit to Al-Nassariya Farm

5/10/2025

A group of students from An-Najah National University recently took part in an environmental field trip to the University’s farm in the Al-Nassariya area. The visit was organized by the Friends of the Environment Association at the Faculty of Science, in cooperation with the Palestinian Environmental Quality Authority, and under the supervision of the Deanship of Student Affairs. The activity aimed to promote experiential learning, raise environmental awareness among students, and support the University’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly quality education, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, and life on land.

The visit included a specialized briefing delivered by the Environmental Quality Authority team, focusing on invasive alien plant species and their impact on biodiversity. The briefing also addressed the environmental conditions of the area and highlighted the main challenges facing local ecosystems. In addition, students toured the farm’s various facilities, including greenhouses, the fish pond, seedling production systems, and modern irrigation technologies.

Dr. Raed Alkowni, Supervisor of the Friends of the Environment Association at the Faculty of Science, emphasized the importance of such field activities in enriching students’ environmental knowledge. He highlighted their role in strengthening environmental awareness and responsibility, as well as in linking academic learning with hands-on practical experience.

For her part, student Ikram Othman Alsedda, President of the Friends of the Environment Association, commended the ongoing support provided by the Faculty of Science, the Deanship of Student Affairs, and the “Ehna An-Najah” team. She praised their efforts in facilitating and organizing meaningful activities that enhance students’ practical experience and broaden their engagement with environmental and community issues.

This field trip forms part of a series of activities organized by the Friends of the Environment Association at the Faculty of Science, aimed at bridging theory and practice and strengthening students’ role in protecting the Palestinian environment and preserving its biodiversity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Nature Protection

Annual Meeting of the Scientific Forum for Nature Protection

2/4/2026

The Scientific Forum for Nature Protection held its annual meeting at the farm of An-Najah National University, located in the Sumeit Plain near the town of Al-Nassariya in the Jordan Valley, with the participation of a distinguished group of academics, researchers, and individuals interested in environmental issues and biodiversity conservation.

This meeting was held within the framework of strengthening national efforts aimed at protecting the Palestinian environment and conserving natural resources, as well as supporting specialized scientific research in the fields of biodiversity, vegetation conservation, and monitoring natural ecosystems in Palestine.

The meeting featured in-depth discussions on the key challenges facing the Palestinian environment, particularly climate change, biodiversity loss, urban expansion, and the impact of unsustainable practices on natural resources. It also included presentations of several scientific and field initiatives implemented by the forum in collaboration with Palestinian universities and various environmental institutions.

Participants emphasized the importance of enhancing joint efforts between academic institutions, official environmental bodies, and local communities, contributing to building a strong scientific foundation to support nature conservation decisions and ensure the sustainability of environmental resources for future generations.

They also stressed the need to intensify field visits, applied research, and the documentation of Palestinian flora, as a vital component of environmental and national identity, and a key pillar in sustainable development efforts.

The Scientific Forum for Nature Protection continues its leading role in supporting environmental studies, raising community awareness, and developing scientific initiatives that contribute to protecting the Palestinian environment and strengthening the role of scientific research in this vital field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant Flora Workshop

22/9/2024

The Scientific Forum for Nature Conservation organized an awareness workshop on plant biodiversity in the Al-Nassariya area of the Jordan Valley, with the participation of academics, researchers, environmental and agricultural specialists, university students, and members of the local community.

The workshop aimed to enhance environmental awareness of the importance of Palestinian plant biodiversity and its role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting food security, protecting native and medicinal plants, and preserving the national agricultural heritage.

The workshop included introductory sessions on wild and native plants found in the Al-Nassariya area, highlighting the importance of protecting endemic and rare species, as well as discussing the major challenges facing vegetation cover, including climate change, overgrazing, urban expansion, and unsustainable agricultural practices.

It also featured practical field training on proper agricultural methods, plant care, soil improvement techniques, sustainable irrigation practices, and the handling of medicinal and aromatic plants. These activities aimed to promote environmentally friendly agricultural practices and strengthen agricultural sustainability.

Participants emphasized the importance of linking scientific knowledge with practical field applications, as this has a direct impact on protecting natural resources and improving agricultural productivity, especially in environmentally significant rural and agricultural areas.

This workshop is part of a series of environmental and field activities implemented by the Scientific Forum for Nature Conservation to spread environmental awareness, support scientific research, and strengthen partnerships between academic institutions and local communities in the field of nature conservation and biodiversity protection in Palestine.

A documented collection of hundreds plant species from the region

Senecio leucanthemifolius

Heliotropium europaeum

Allium trifoliatum

Anagallis arvensis

Ranunculus asiaticus

Sideritis perfoliata

Trifolium stellatum

Ornithogalum montanum

Trifolium pilulare

Trifolium purpureum

Paronychia argentea

Cistus incanus

Medicago coronata

Trifolium tomentosum

Convolvulus pentapetaloides

Centaurea cyanoides

Cistus salviifolius

Clematis cirrhosa

Valerianella vesicaria

Sarcopoterium spinosum

Pennisetum orientale

Ziziphus lotus

Bryonia syriaca

Biarum pyrami

Atractylis comosa

Lactuca tuberosa

ceratonia siliqua

Onosma orientalis

Brassica nigra

Mandragora autumnalis

Trifolium resupinatum

Narcissus tazetta

Anthemis palestina

Ranunculus scandicinus

Cyclamen persicum

Silene aegyptiaca

Geranium rotundifolium

Silybum marianum

Stellaria pallida

terocephalus plumosus

Malva nicaeensis

Lathyrus hierosolymitanus

Asteriscus spinosus

Tetragonolobus palaestinus

Centaurea hyalolepis

Campanula strigosa

Quercus calliprinos

Ononis pubescens

Papaver umbonatum

Legousia speculum-veneris

Anemone coronaria L

Fumaria densiflora

Asphodelus aestivus

Daucus carota L

Heliotropium hirsutissimum

Papaver hybridum

Centaurea iberica

Nonea obtusifolia

Knautia integrifolia

Adonis palaestina

Iris sisyrinchium

Cephalaria joppensis

Hordeum marinum

Capparis spinosa

Diplotaxis erucoides

Cichorium endivia

Trifolium campestre

Eryngium creticum

Notobasis syriaca

Echinops adenocaulos

Geropogon hybridus

Echium judaeum

Linum pubescens

Glebionis coronarium

Ruta chalepensis

Asparagus horridus

Veronica syriaca Roem

Calicotome villosa

Lotus peregrinus

Teucrium divaricatum

Cuscuta brevistyla

Artedia squamata

origanum syriacum

Erucaria hispanica

Silene behen L.

Helichrysum sanguineum

Crocus hyemalis

Lamium moschatum

Valantia hispida

Micromeria nervosa

Silene colorata

Bellevalia flexuosa

Avena sterilis

Salvia viridis

Sinapis alba

Salvia judaica

Alcea setosa

Vicia palaestina

Urtica pilulifera

Scuterllaria rubicunda

Briza maxima

Verbascum sinuatum

Anagyris foetida

Ononis spinosa

Cynosurus echinatus

Salvia fruticosa

Phleum subulatum

Phagnalon rupestre

Erodium gruinum

Scabiosa prolifera

Onopordum cynarocephalum

Alopecurus utriculatus

Lamium amplexicaule

Ammi majus

Reseda alba

Anchusa aggregate

Sanguisorba minor

Moluccella spinosa

Trifolium clypeatum

Biscutella didyma

Arum palaestinum

Salvia dominica

Micromeria fruticosa

Pistacia palaestina

Melilotus sulcatus

Capsella bursa-pastoris

Smilax aspera

Conservation of flora diversity is

a collective duty, not an optional pursuit

Protecting this rich botanical heritage is not merely about saving individual

plant species; it is a fundamental prerequisite for ensuring long-term

food security, safeguarding public health, and sustaining future generations.
From mountain ecosystems to preserved gene banks, defending Palestine’s

living botanical legacy is an essential and enduring responsibility