Investigation of habitat characteristics of Verbascum songaricum schrenk in rangeland ecosystems of zagros

Identifying endemic medicinal plants needs is the main steps taken to mass production of them. The main purpose for the present study is to considering of habitat characteristics of Verbascum songaricum schrenk in central zagros region in Iran. The current study was conducted in five rangeland sites in Dareh Hose, Ghahiz, Semirom, Ghale Ghadam and Dena as the most important V. songaricum habitats in Isfahan and kohgiluyeh and Buyerahmad provinces. Ecological factors including climate, physiography and soil physicochemical properties were evaluated. To determining similarity and differences between habitat, cluster analysis was used. The results showes V. songaricum grows where areas with precipitation between 300-500mm ranges, average annual temperature of 9.4 C and semi cold climate. Electrical conductivity of soil had a range between 0.5 to 0.9 ds/m and its organic matter varied from 0.3 to 0.9 %. According to results, the species is distributed in southern and eastern aspects and 2400 to 2900 meters above sea level. with respect to cluster analysis, study areas were located in two main habitats where the first one involve Dareh Hose, Ghahiz and second ones include Semirom, Ghale Ghadam and Dena.