Most of Al Hajar mountain slopes and plains along highways linking the wilayats are covered in green thanks to the recent spells of winter rains. The verdant landscape in Al Sareen, Al Hobobiyah, Haifadh, Al Sawaqim, Al Mazarea and Wadi Alarbeieen is the result of mushrooming of Al Isbaq (Euphorbia larica Boiss), a perennial plant that has many branches without leaves. Its height ranges between one and two metres. It is distinguished by the strength of its roots and resilient branches.
Bees depend a lot on the nectar of Isbaq flowers. The fruits of this plant are usually green and has a circular shape. However, sometimes it is yellow in colour. Moreover, various species of animals, namely deer and sheep, feed on this plant.
This plant can be seen in most of the mountains, on the banks of wadis and in the desert. It has many uses. In ancient times, the stalks of this plant were used to build the roofs of houses. At a time when gas was not available, the dry stalks of this plant were also used to light the fire.
Houses with Isbaq roofs were common in mountainous areas as it protected the residents from harsh winter.
Traditional healers extracted the juice of Isbaq to treat wounds and herders have used them to remove thorns from the feet and hands. It was also used to treat infections in eyes, bites, boils, burns and as an anthelmintic drug for deworming.
Isbaq, a dominant and common component of the native desert flora of northern Oman, is a bulwark against soil erosion in mountains and valleys during torrential rains.
“The plants and trees have been very significant to a wide spectrum of the Omani community from the last decades up to our present time. These resources have nutritional, medicinal and cosmetic values,” an environmentalist told the Observer.
An Oman environmental researcher said these traditional knowledge of plants should be preserved and passed down to future generations.
TEXT& PHOTOS BY YAHYA AL SALMANI
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