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Ghaf (Prosopis cineraria)
Photo: LRBurdak, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

On the map in 3 countries tree symbol: Bahrain, United Arab Emirates

Ghaf

Prosopis cineraria

Family: Fabaceae

On our map this plant appears in 3 countries and ranks highest in: United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman.

The ghaf is an evergreen tree growing to 10–15 m, with a broad crown, small, pinnate, grey-green leaves and thorny twigs. Its roots reach as deep as 30 m down to the groundwater, allowing it to survive extreme drought and heat above 50°C. It produces long, narrow pods that are eaten by camels and goats. It casts dense shade and stabilises dunes, stopping them from shifting.

Description from: United Arab Emirates.

More: Wikipedia (en) Wikipedia (pl) Plants of the World Online (Kew)

Significance in each country

  1. United Arab Emirates no. 1 of 8 native

    National tree of the United Arab Emirates

    In 2008 the ghaf was declared the national tree of the UAE as a symbol of stability and endurance in the desert, and in 2019 it was the emblem of the country’s Year of Tolerance.

  2. Bahrain no. 2 of 5 native

    “Tree of Life” – a natural monument and symbol of Bahrain

    Shajarat al-Hayat, the “Tree of Life”, is a ghaf about 400 years old growing alone on a hillock in the desert, a few kilometres from Jebel Dukhan.

  3. Oman no. 8 of 8 native

    In Oman the ghaf is an important tree of the desert plains, providing fodder for goats and camels, firewood and shade for Bedouin camps; old ghaf trees are traditional meeting places in villages.