Gymnosporia dhofarensis (Sebsebe) Jordaan

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Dhofari Spikethorn
Dhofari Maytenus

Miller & Morris (1988) wrote that: "Maytenus dhofarensis and M. senegalensis are not differentiated in local expertise, and are both called :" sérbiť, any apparent differences in appearance between the two species being explained by pointing out that different habitats and soils must be expected to produce variations within a species. These shrubs grow widely throughout Dhofar, in the drier areas as well as in the monsoon area, and more rarely on the fringes of the monsoon zone, on the high plateaux which are affected by the wind-borne mists and cloud blown from the sea. Maytenus species are regarded as being a favoured haunt of snakes, so are approached with caution. The thorns are really vicious, being considered to cause more pain and difficulty of extraction than any other thorn in Dhofar. However, the thorns are also an effective deterrent, and this has meant that cut branches were traditionally popular ... as building material for pens and enclosures, for perimeter fences around the settlement compound, for building partitions to divide up a large cave settlement, or to make a dense barrier across the cave mouth or the 'door' [J: sidad] for the circular stone huts which was pulled across the hut entrance when night fell (or at other times of the day for privacy). Camels browse on the foliage, but cattle are unenthusiastic. Goats eat the leaves and especially the attractive pink and red flowers, but if they eat the fruit they fall ill with shivering attacks and develop a raised temperature. These species provided adequate firewood, but the many, sharp thorns made it unpleasant to handle, so it was not widely used for firewood or to make charcoal in areas where other more suitable trees were plentiful. If the well known hardwood trees were absent, the wood of a well developed Maytenus specimen would be used to make such vital weapons as the double-ended throwing stick [J: ekit] and the knobbed club [J: tekeso]". (Ref. Plants of Dhofar). In addition, Ghazanfar (2007) mentioned that: "Cut spiny branches are used as enclosures for livestock". (Ref. Flora of Oman; vol.2). Furthermore, Pickering & Patzelt (2008) stated that: "Thorns are vicious, which makes this a good fencing plant". (Ref. Field Guide to the Wild Plants of Oman; 2008).

*Ghazanfar, S. (2007). Flora of the Sultanate of Oman, vol.2: Crassulaceae – Apiaceae. Meise, National Botanic Garden of Belgium (Scripta Botanica Begica, Vol. 36). ISBN 9789072619747 ISSN 0779-2387. *https://en.wikipedia.org *http://pza.sanbi.org *Miller, A., Morris, M. (1988). Plants of Dhofar, the Southern Region of Oman: Traditional, Economic, and Medicinal Uses. Published by Office of the Adviser for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Sultanate of Oman; ISBN 10: 0715708082 ISSN 13: 9780715708088. *Patzelt, A. (2015). Oman Plant Red Data Book. Published by Diwan of Royal Court, Sultanate of Oman. Oman Botanic Garden Publication No. 1. ISBN 978-99969-50-10-0. *POWO (2022). ""Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org