Documentation of Medicinal Flora in Salt-Affected Agroecosystems of Egypt

This floristic survey of saline-affected agricultural peripheries in Egypt recorded 75 plant species across 25 families, with Asteraceae (20 species) and Poaceae (8) being the most species-rich. Species richness declined along a gradient from the Mediterranean coast to arid inland sites, with the North Coast having the most species (62), followed by the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road (35), Fayoum (24), and Siwa (21). This reflects the shift from a wet, heterogeneous environment to drier, saline ecosystems. The North Coast hosted 21 exclusive species, including littoral specialists and medicinal taxa. In contrast, the oases of Siwa and Fayoum harbored fewer exclusive species, with assemblages comprising more widespread, generalist species. The recorded presence of obligate halophytes, such as Arthrocaulon macrostachyum and Zygophyllum album, confirmed the existence of highly saline microsites within the surveyed agroecosystems, while the distribution of resilient species like Alhagi graecorum and Tamarix nilotica highlighted their potential for use in phytoremediation and soil stabilization on degraded lands. The presence of invasive species, particularly in the North Coast, necessitates proactive management. A review of documented pharmacological properties revealed that antioxidant activity was the most common therapeutic property (44 species), followed by antimicrobial (20 species), anti-inflammatory (15 species), and anticancer (13 species) effects, with significant overlap in these biological activities. These findings underscore the critical link between environmental gradients and plant community composition, underscoring the North Coast's distinctive floristic value and the potential of stress-tolerant species for economic applications in marginal environments.