The
flora of Egypt is immensely diverse and ranges from
the exotic Dragon tree, Dracaena ombet,
to the tiniest and most delicate ferns and mosses.
The flowering plants (Angiospermae) include 2075
species and there are also six species of Gymnosperms
(conifers and ephedras), including the Juniper tree,
Juniperus phoenicea. In addition there are 353 species
of mosses, liverworts and ferns.
Of the flowering plants, 62 species are endemic
to Egypt. It is worth noting that of these, 33 species
are found only in Sinai and four are known from
Sinai and other locations in Egypt.
The variety of plant life reflects the variety of
habitats in Egypt, from the high mountains of Sinai
to the verdant Nile Valley; the almost rainless
sand sea of the Western Desert to the mangrove swamps
of the Red Sea coast, and numerous smaller habitat
types.
Among the most important of these habitat types
are the mangroves Avicennia marina and
Rhizophora mucronata that lie along the
Red Sea coast and provide nesting habitat for sea
birds and breeding grounds for fish and crustaceans.
The mangroves are vital to the health of the Red
Sea fisheries and also play a role in seashore stabilization.
Other plants are important for herbal medicine or
animal fodder and certain species are used as thatch
for houses. Yet other plants provide food for people
or may be used in crafts such as basket weaving.
