The arfaj plant (rhanterium epapposum) stands out as a vital native shrub supporting ecological balance and biodiversity within the imam turki bin abdullah royal nature reserve by providing essential habitat and sustainable grazing for local wildlife.:he Arfaj plant (Rhanterium epapposum) stands out as a vital native shrub supporting ecological balance and biodiversity within the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve by providing essential habitat and sustainable grazing for local wildlife.
According to Saudi Press Agency, a perennial desert shrub of the Asteraceae family, Arfaj thrives in sandy, loamy, and gravel-rich soils and is renowned for its high tolerance to drought, heat, and salinity, as well as its nutritional value as a prime rangeland plant. Beyond its vital ecological role, the plant holds a revered place in Arab heritage and classical poetry.
The reserve's ongoing initiatives to protect and promote Arfaj align with the Saudi Green Initiative's goals, supporting rangeland rehabilitation, vegetation cover expansion, and long-term ecosystem sustainability.