A former lecturer at the Lebanese University, now president of the CNRS (National Council of Scientific Research), Prof. Georges Tohme is a nature lover but was not originally specialized in growing things. He and his wife studied ant populations, but as the latter's propagation is linked to the plant species that they feed upon, the couple's researches came to include them. For over 40 years they have been on the field, where they have amassed more then 8000 pictures of Lebanese wildflowers. Since his retirement, Tohme has been exploring the state of the Lebanese flora, based on the monumental work of Father Mouterde.
Father Mouterde, a Jesuit priest, spent 33 years putting together an extensive herbarium of the Lebanese flora. 2607 species of flowers and plants were hand-drawn and described by him. This large work was sent to Switzerland during the war for its protection, and is still there now, but it was published posthumously in 66, 72 and 83.
Tohme's investigation aimed to answer many questions, for instance: Do all the plants described still exist? Have new species appeared? Have they spread beyond their original location? He was also moved by concern, as Lebanon is the cradle of many endemic species the disappearance of which would be a loss to science. The professor presented part of his findings during a conference at the Convent of the Franciscaines on March 8, titled "The current state of the flora in Lebanon".
It is astonishing to note how much our flora has evolved in the past 40 years, that is since the days of Father Mouterde's study, and instructive to note the reasons for this evolution. Certain species used to be localised in Beirut, where seeds disembarked at the port and airport along with the travellers who unwittingly carried them caught in clothing or luggage; with time they naturally spread out and can now be found all over the territory. A Japanese tree sporting a fuzzy red blossom has thus appeared on the Green Line during the war and can now be found everywhere. The widespread yellow mimosa was deliberately introduced in the 50s, and Tohme himself was among the students who helped plant it on either side of the road to the airport, at the time to prevent the sand from sliding onto the road (a function now obsolete). Some however made the trip on their own: such is the achievement of the flower we know as hummeyda, which is spread not by seeds but by roots, and inched its way to our lands all the way from southern Africa. Even though Mouterde states it cannot grow above 300m, it can be now be found as high as 800m.
Not all newcomers are a good omen. A couple of plants never seen before are now growing respectively in the dried-up swamp of Ammiq and on the shores of Lake Qaraoun: they are indicators of salinity in the ground and of desertification.
There are flowers that were thought disappeared, that have reemerged, such as the physalis now present from northern to southern border. The Lebanese cyclamen (Cyclamen libanoticum), characterized by the smooth edge of its delicately patterned leaves, also made a come-back and graces our forest with its bluish-pink flowers (picture above). Wild orchids have similarly been found again, and a plant with an amusing name: as it is a parasite of the laudanum, it is know in Arabic as ben laden. Typically Lebanese species that thrive on include the wild apple tree, the romulea Phoenicia that favors sandstone soil, the pretty Lebanese thyme, the white immortal so named because it is dry and therefore doesn't wither…
The intervention of man can affect a plant's habits: a species of Scylla cited as blooming in Hermel in November shows up around the 15th of August now that the fields are irrigated. But more alarmingly, it can also endanger species. The amaryllidaceae of Sin el Fil is nowhere to be found now that the area is all constructed. The rutba disappeared in 94, but at least it can be reintroduced from Tunis or Egypt. Sadly this is not always possible. Species endemic to Beirut are threatened, but the city council in collaboration with Tohme is taking measures at the moment. Wildflowers of the area (such as the wild stock, that also existed in Byblos but disappeared when the city "cleaned up" its shore of all vegetation) have been localised and samples of their population are being transplanted to a garden that will serve for preservation and scientific research. The gemmayz, or sycomore, of which only a handful of trees survive in the country, will benefit the same treatment.
All in all, 93 species have disappeared and 13 are new in the country, at least 5 of which have not crossed over from Syria. Many that still exist are represented by less than a handful of specimen. It is a scary balance, all the more so because wildflowers are taken for granted. Who would suspect that a blossom clinging to one last patch of soil in the midst of a city may be the last of its kind? Tohme points out the great enemies of the flora: construction, the worst of them all, followed by agriculture, and finally industry. To date, Lebanon still counts 2790 species of wildflowers, about which very little research has been made. It is Tohme's fondest wish that his love for them could spread to the greater number, so that we don't lose this wonderful and irreplaceable diversity.
      | Article by Joumana Medlej |