The Ministry of Municipality and Environment, represented by the Agricultural Research
Department, has collected and conserved about 20 Acacia tortilis (samar) seeds from various field sites in Qatar using the latest methods. This comes as part of the implementation of the national project for the inventory, collection and conservation of wild plants in Qatar. In a statement, the Agricultural Research Department explained that the plant seeds collected undergo technical processes within the Genetic Bank, including, for example, registration of inputs, giving them a serial national number that is internationally recognised, drying and cleaning seed samples, as well as sterilising them at low temperatures to get rid of insect eggs that feed their larvae on the seeds. Acacia tortilis, often called the ‘umbrella thorn’ for its distinctive spreading crown, is one of the most widespread trees in desert environments.