Physiological and Genetic Studies on Some Wild Plants in Wadi Hagul

Abstract

Echinops spinosus and Fagonia mollis plants used in the present study were collected from the upstream site of Wadi Hagul during two different seasons in 2013; April (spring) and October (autumn). Wadi Hagul is located in the northern portion of the Eastern Desert of Egypt within Cairo-Suez district; it occupies an area of approximately 350 km2 representing about 0.16% of the total area of the Egyptian Eastern Desert. Wadi Hagul lies within arid desert climate with very low rainfall, high temperature and high evaporation rate. The geologic and vegetation structures of Wadi Hagul bed led to the recognition of three main sections: upstream, middle stream and downstream sections. These sections represent the natural xeric habitat which is mainly inhabited by xerophytic plants.