Prospects of Wild Medicinal and Industrial Plants of Saline Habitats in the Jordan Valley

A field survey of wild medicinal and industrial plant species in saline habitats in the area extended along 75 km in the Jordan Valley was carried out during 2010. Results showed occurrence of 263 species of 59 62 plant families in the region. The highest numbers were belonging to Compositae (48 species), Gramineae (18 species) and Chenopodiaceae (15 species). Species were different in densities, frequency, and distribution among and between study sites. Many important halophytes were growing in marsh and saline soils, wadies and wadi beds, along saline or in brackish water streams. Life form, biology, ecology, and physiological, phytochemical and anatomical mechanisms of adaptation/resistance, economical values and distribution of most common species were evaluated and discussed. General comments on the recorded species, medicinal values and potential inclusion for reclamation of the salt-effected soils were considered.