I would like help identifying a plant I have seen for the first time in northern Tunisia (North Africa).

I made 2 pictures which I can submit. Where do you think I can go on the Internet to be helped with this identification;
This plant looks like the black top of a reed, but no stem and no leaves. It shoots straight out of the sand of the dune, a few meters from the Mediterranean sea.

Answer

While we do answer plant questions, we are not familiar with North African plant species. However, I did send your query to colleagues in Europe who sent some helpful suggestions:

One colleague suggests  Cynomorium coccineum. "The habitat (dunes by the Med.) is a pretty good clue. It’s parasitic so has no leaves."

Another colleague suggests that you search the online photo guide www.africanplants.senckenberg.de

a photo database with identification tool (under Browse & Search).

Also:

Photo Guide to Plants of Southern Morocco (lacking the determination

tool)

http://plantsofsouthernmorocco.biota-africa.net/index.php

Hope these resources help you identify your plant.

  • Last Updated Jan 14, 2021
  • Views 34
  • Answered By Janet Evans

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  1. The questioner confirmed that the plant was, indeed, Cynomorium coccineum.
    by Janet Evans on May 07, 2014