Vast wilderness of sand dunes covering gravel or gypsum plains. Very diffuse but fairly evenly distributed sand shrubland, interrupted in some parts by near sterile inter-dune floors. Typical plants are Calligonum crinitum on dune slopes, Cornulaca monacantha and tussocks of Cyperus conglomeratus. Other widespread associates are Dipterygium glaucum, Limeum arabicum and Zygophyllum mandavillei. Trees are absent, except around the outer margins, and are typically Acacia ehrenbergiana and Prosopis cineraria in drainage lines and pans between dunes. Along the northern edge of the Rub' al-Khali sands in the UAE, Calligonum comosum is the characteristic woody perennial, growing in wind-blown sand.

WP Notes

Generally very sparse coverage; some areas totally devoid of plant life

Tree layer

Outer margins: Acacia ehrenbergiana (Acacia (small)), Prosopis cineraria (Jand)