Floristic Study of Kang riverside, Mashhad, Iran

Kang country is located in the west of Mashhad، 28 Kms distance. Being situated on the route and merge of Kang River. Plant species were collected from 10-Kms riverside، during active growth periods in 2009 and 2010. The species were identified and their chorology and life form were determined by laboratory examinations and reference books. Results revealed existence of 205 plant species from 147 genera and 42 plant families. Most of abundant plant families were Asteraceae، Poaceae and Lamiaceae، Brassicaceae، Fabaceae and Boraginaceae respectively. The analysis of endemism showed that the area inhabited by seven Khorasanian endemic taxa and eight rare and two threatened species. According to Raunkiaer’s classification of life forms، therophytes، hemicryptophytes، phanerophytes، chamaephytes and cryptophytes included 51. 2، 34. 6، 7. 3، 3. 4 and 2. 9% of the total species، respectively. Irano-Turanian chorotypes were the most dominant (76. 5%) plants، according to Zohary classification. The difference in the relative dominance of plant phenotype or chorotypes can be interpreted as different plant responses to the climatic conditions، as well as anthropogenic effects and natural disturbances.