A study on floristic composition of Jaji Aryob district, Paktia province, Afghanistan

This study aims to identify the floristic composition, life form and geographical distribution of plants in Jaji Aryob region, located in the north of Paktia province, Afghanistan. Following the collection of plant samples from natural habitats, identification was conducted using the existing references. Based on the results, a total of 102 species belonging to 90 genera and 39 families were identified. Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae and Rosaceae were the four largest families within the study area. Therophytes with 36 species, phanerophytes with 27 species and hemicryptophytes with 23 were found to be the most common life forms in the study region. In terms of geographical distribution, the most dominant elements in the region were Pluriregional elements with 39 species and Irano-Turanian elements with 21 species. The study area consists of 62 common species with Iran and 71 common ones with other parts of Afghanistan. Also, one and 19 new records were reported for Afghanistan and Paktia province, respectively. The finding of this survey revealed the diverse vegetation present in the area, as well as the presence of 43 valuable medicinal species and two endemic species Colutea afghanica and Iris cabulica.