Date palms are the very first impression you get whenever there is any reference to Arabian flora and fauna. A flowering plant in the palm family, the date has earned a reputation for its exceptionally sweet flavour. Grown uniquely in the Arab region, dates have been a staple diet in the Middle East. Even today it is a main delicacy in major cities like Abu Dhabi. Resorts there are always likely to have plenty of dates on offer for guests. The date’s historical roots are traced to Iraq, and the ancient Egyptians are said to have crushed the fruit to prepare wine. Fossil evidence indicates that the date palm is around 50 million years old.
Eucalyptus is another plant found in the Arab region, although it was introduced from Australia. Eucalyptus demands a good amount water from the surrounding soil. So it is used to get rid of malaria by extracting water from the soil in Arab countries like Algeria and Lebanon. When water is drained from soil, it gets rid of marshes which breed mosquito larvae. However, the plant is more known for its oil. Eucalyptus oil is used as an antiseptic as well as a deodoriser. It is also used as a herbal remedy in food supplements. The oil also serves as an insect repellent. Hotels in Abu Dhabi such as Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara and others, use eucalyptus oil for its fragrance, along with other varieties of oil like menthol.
An animal unique to the Arab region is the Arabian Oryx also known as white Oryx. It is an antelope with straight horns and a bunched tail. This species had been on the verge of extinction, but due to much effort on the part of zoos, the animal re-appeared in 1980. That said, however, the animal was categorised as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Now it is known as the national animal of the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Oman. The animal takes a rest during the day. It can also identify rainfall and successfully find water. Although it has two horns, the Arabian oryx is a peaceful animal. The animal’s uniqueness has earned it a number of legends too. A widespread myth about a unicorn animal is also based on the Arabian Oryx.
Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+
