Premier luxury publishing house Assouline has unveiled its latest masterpiece, “AlUla Flora,” a stunning tribute to the diverse plant life thriving in the ancient oasis city of AlUla in northwest Saudi Arabia. This book, part of Assouline’s “Classics Collection,” features text by Abdulaziz Assaeed, a professor of rangeland ecology at King Saud University, and captivating images by young Saudi photographer Hayat Osamah. Complementing the vivid photography are artworks by Carolyn Jenkins, Lil Sire, Raxenne, Moira Frith, and Mary Woodin.
“AlUla Flora” follows the success of last year’s “AlUla Ever,” which showcased the region’s geological wonders, rich cultural heritage, and flourishing arts scene. This new volume invites readers on a visual and educational journey through AlUla’s lush ecosystems, highlighting over 80 plant species flourishing in diverse landscapes—from rocky sandstone outcrops and desert plains to verdant oases teeming with natural springs.
Among the featured plants are the Hispid Viper’s-bugloss with its bright funnel-shaped flowers, the striking spiny milkvetch with pinkish-purple blooms, and the culturally significant jujube tree. Each species is presented not only for its ecological value but also for its role in local traditions, including Bedouin crafts and ancient culinary uses.
Phillip Jones, chief tourism officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), remarked, “‘AlUla Flora’ opens a window to the city’s fascinating botanical world, which we have been carefully and intentionally nurturing to rebuild and reinforce the ecological richness and vibrancy of the region. The book acts as a visual narrative of our broader aspirations to protect and showcase the verdant life in AlUla, inviting visitors and locals to discover more about the environment that we live in and create an all-important connection with nature.”
Abeer AlAkel, Acting CEO of RCU, elaborated on the project’s significance: “AlUla is home to an incredible natural beauty. Among its mountains, deep valleys, and wadis, native species of plants and animals are thriving, taking root, growing in number, and slowly spreading into new habitats. This is the wild, untamed side of AlUla not everyone is so familiar with. It exists away from the new and vibrant urban centers, the cultural hubs, and welcoming hotels. But it’s a side of AlUla – the living, breathing, organic side – that is also being slowly, successfully, and sustainably revived.”
RCU’s mandate to regenerate and develop northwest Arabia emphasizes a delicate but essential link between natural, cultural, and man-made worlds. Their efforts have led to significant ecological milestones: 1,000 hectares of rangeland restored, 111,684 trees planted in protected areas, and the production of 300,000 seedlings annually in a specialized plant nursery. Additionally, 650 Arabian Gazelles, 100 Nubian Ibex, 550 Sand Gazelles, and 280 Arabian Oryx have been successfully reintroduced into the wild.
AlAkel added, “As guardians of a unique location, RCU understands the power of re-establishing nature’s balance to support the foundations of biodiversity. We have achieved great results so far, helping to regreen and rewild an ecosystem that suffered from degradation.”
The book, previewed earlier this year to RCU’s Advisory Board in New York, is a testament to these achievements. It captures the ecological successes and ongoing efforts to rewild and regenerate AlUla’s natural landscapes, particularly in protected nature reserves such as Sharaan, Wadi Nakhlah, Gharameel, Harrat Uwayrid, Harrat AlZabin, and Harrat Khaybar.
“AlUla Flora” not only celebrates the vibrant blooms of this ancient oasis but also underscores a commitment to sustainability and ecotourism. More than 50 percent of AlUla’s geographical boundaries are allocated to protected nature reserves, highlighting the destination’s dedication to environmental stewardship.
The publication illuminates the significant conservation efforts underway in AlUla, from reintroducing native plant species to the successful animal reintroduction program launched in 2023. This program has already seen the release of around 1,000 animals from four species—Arabian gazelles, sand gazelles, Arabian oryx, and Nubian ibex—back into their natural habitats.
AlUla’s legacy is one of harmony with nature, a testament to a region that has nurtured human civilization for millennia through its natural resources. As AlUla reclaims its past, it also sows the seeds for a revitalized future where nature and humanity continue to thrive in balance.
