Flora of Sir Bani Yas Island – Vacationing Amid Nature

Preferred by Mountain Gazelles, the Umbrella Thorn Acacia or Acacia tortilis provides a great amount of shade for other animals that reside on the island. A native plant species commonly found in the savannah and the eastern coastal region of Africa, Umbrella Thorn Acacia can be found in the rest of the Middle East, where an arid climate prevails. Small and wiry, the plant also has white flowers that emit a noticeable aroma. Seeds of the plant are produced in pods that are flat and in the shape of a spring. The tree is able to tolerate a high amount of alkalinity in the soil as well as arid weather conditions such as dry and sandy soil. The plant is well rooted in the soil to tolerate the speedy winds as well. Ideal for the weather conditions prevalent on the Sir Bani Yas Island, this plant produces a gum that is edible and many parts of the tree are used in decoration, medicine and in the manufacture of weapons and tools.

With the Latin name of Prosopis Cineraria, Ghaf is another prominent tree on Sir Bani Yas Island. Usually small, thorny and evergreen the Ghaf tree features somewhat light blue colour leaves and slender branches as well. With roots penetrated deep into the soil, the plant is able to withstand the extremely dry weather conditions. The plant is located in the central Majilis of the previous president of UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. If you are vacationing in a resort found on the island like Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort you can view the tree from the hilltops of Sir Bani Yas Island. Offering many accommodation options, be it a luxurious resort or a beach villa in Abu Dhabi, the island caters to those who wish to spend time close to nature.

One of the famous plants that can be observed on Sir Bani Yas Island, Frankincense is planted in the central Majilis of the late ruler of the UAE. The plant has played a major role in the culture of the UAE and it has been used to produce incense. Mentioned in the Bible, the Frankincense tree is an indigenous tree that is seen in South Eastern Arabia. Frankincense sometimes has one or more trunks and the texture of the bark of the tree is similar to that of paper. What make the tree easily noticeable are its yellow and white flowers.

Aptly named due to it being used as a chewing stick in the Indian subcontinent, the Toothbrush tree is popular among the Rock Hyrax as well as Giraffes. The tree bears red berries and it features a crooked trunk covered with cracked, white colour bark. The bark is the colour of sand and the inner surfaces of the bark carry a lighter shade of brown colour. The tree also has a pleasant fragrance and a pungent taste.