Floristic strudy of Hanza-kuh of Bahr-Aseman protected area (SE Iran)

In the present work, the flora and the plant vegetation of a part of Bahr-aseman protected area of southern highlands in Iran was investigated. The selected area occupies Zamin hosein to Hanza-kuh altitudes which is located in the north of Jiroft, south of Kerman province. The study aims to determine the plant species, life forms, geographical distribution and the vegetation form of the plants in this area. The results revealed that 309 species of vascular plants belonging to 198 genus and 60 families occure in the area, three belonging to cryptogams, four to gymnosperms, 45 species to monocotyledons and 257 species to dicotyledons. Based on species richness, the most abundant families in the studied area are: Astereaceae (48 species), Poaceae (27 species), Lamiaceae (26 species) and Fabaceae (20 species). Fifty three percent (i.e. 166 species) of the flora of the studied area are exclusive to Irano-Turanian floristic region. Throphytes (28%), hemicryptophytes (27%), cryptophytes (18%), chamaephytes (15%) and phanerophytes (10%) and parasites (2%), are the most frequent life forms in this area respectively. Thirty species are trees and shrubs and 21 out of 317 species are endemic to southeastern Iran. Landscape, application and the threatening factors of the plant vegetation in this area is discussed.