مصطفی اسدی

Ranunculus is the largest genus of Ranunculaceae, with an estimated 600 species distributed worldwide, especially with numerous species in the temperate zones. Based on collecting living plants in the field and analysis of 750 specimens from various herbaria, 59 species were recognized from Iran. In this paper, the taxonomy of the genus mainly follows that of Farsi version of the genus in Flora of Iran with some changes where necessary. According to these data one new species, four new records, three synonyms, and one status change were proposed during the last 30 years. The taxa are differentiated mainly by the shape and size of their leaves, calyx form, and fruits. Correct names and synonyms are presented. Ecological conditions and habitat of many species were studied by sampling in the habitat. An identification key was prepared and the synopsis of the species is proposed here. Diagnostic characteristic traits are presented for most of the taxa. Selected examined specimens are given for all the taxa.

Among the herbarium specimens collected in Azerbaijan province, two specimens of an Erodium species seemed to be undescribed. The specimens were studied carefully and compared with other Iranian species and other neighboring countries, especially the perennials and it was discovered that the specimens in spite of a similar habit to Erodium dimorphum, have certain differences with it. The two new specimens are male and female of the same species. However, we came to the conclusion that the specimens are a new species and were named in honor of its collector M. A. Ghahremani. The new species and E. dimorphum have disjunct distribution in Semnan and Azerbaijan provinces respectively. The new species bears mixed simple and glandular hairs, stems ca. 30 cm high, leaves 15 cm long and 3 cm broad, leaflets lanceolate and 2-3 cm long. While E. dimorphum bears only simple hairs, no stem or stems up to 20 cm, leaves up to 12 cm long and 1 cm broad, and leaflets orbicular-ovate and up to 1 cm long.

Many endemic plants with limited distributions are in danger of extinction and their protection is a priority. Quercus castaneifolia is an endemic species distributed in the Caucasus Mountains and northern Iran. The conservation status of the species was defined based on IUCN Red List criteria and categories. The Extent of Occurrence (EOO) in Iran is 153172 Km2, and the conservation status of this species is defined as LC (Least Concern). Based on EOO, Q. castaneifolia is not a threatened species in Iran. We managed to collect plant samples and habitat information from 36 populations of this species in different habitats of the country. The Area of Occupancy was measured as 1339 km2 and evaluated as vulnerable (VU), but based on the forest measurement reports, the authors' studies, and field observations, Q. castaneifolia has a wide, continuous, and good coverage in the northern regions of the country from sea level to the upper heights of the forest, and is one of the dominant species, making plant communities as mixed stands with other trees, and regenerates well. So, considering all these data, we evaluate it as Least Concern (LC) in Iran. Nevertheless, because the Hyrcanian Forests are fragile and lowland habitats in Iran are threatened and changing rapidly, as well as high exploitation of timber and compaction of the soil at the base of the trees, all create problems for its survival and continuation. There must be regular surveys and monitoring programs on its populations, conservation status, and protection by Natural Resources and Watershed Organization. Furthermore, botanists should do regular periodical surveys on Q. castaneifolia and report its conservation status to the relevant authorities. Expanding its use in parks, arboriculture, botanical gardens, and forest plantations will significantly help to protect this valuable species in the country.

In the present research, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to observe the outer perianth (sepal) of 14 species of Campanula (Campanulaceae) in the north and northwest of Iran through micromorphological studies. Hence, by a precise observation, the perianths were examined in terms of hairiness, hair shape, hair density and epidermal pattern, and then a table of traits was prepared. The species were further categorized into two groups: hairy and hairless; in terms of hairiness, into five groups: stellate, strigose, villouse, crispate, and hooked; and in terms of hair variations into five groups: striate, rugose, cup-shaped, papillate; and striate-papillate. According to the results, the species complex C. reuteriana and C. propinqua exhibit differences in terms of the hair type, perianth, as well as epidermal pattern of the perianth. Furthermore, based on the results of this research, the micromorphological studies of the epidermal pattern of perianth confirmed the separation of species complex C. trachelium from C. latifolia. In general, the present study revealed that, species are differentiated and identified via their micromorphological features.

Iran covers an area of 1.65 m km2 in the SW Asia. Based on climatic variation and geobotanical structure, Iran has the most variation and with about 7864 vascular plant species, is the second richest country after Turkey in SW Asia. Aquatic vascular plants with 23 families contain about 1% of Iran's flora. To prepare the aquatic Flora of Iran and review of its vegetation, as a national project of the Research Institute of Forest and Rangelands (Tehran, Iran), 20 aquatic plant families were studied by the authors. Sampling of specimens was carried out from 238 localities of the aquatic plants during 2008–20 from rivers, wetlands, and other aquatic ecosystems of Iran. In recent years including the present project, 14 taxa have been recorded or described from Iran by the authors and their colleagues. In this research, new identification keys to all aquatic taxa in Iran with descriptions of all species based on morphological studies following the APG IV classification system have been presented. Finally, 33 genera, 66 species, one subspecies, two varieties, and two hybrids belonging to 20 families of three classes including floating, submerged, and emerged plants are described from Iran.

Nectary morphology of Matthiola species (Brassicaceae) in the Flora Iranica area was examined using a stereomicroscope to evaluate its systematic significance and assess infrageneric relationships. The study demonstrated that, most characters of the nectaries were constant among different populations of a given species and were taxonomically useful in the delimitation of species, and their grouping. However, nectary morphology was variable in some species. Reliable diagnostic features included; type and number of nectaries, morphology of lateral nectary, presence vs. absence, length, and distance of ramifications extending of lateral nectaries. The type and number of nectaries were useful in grouping of species. Three basic types of nectaries were present in the genus of which two lunar-shaped nectaries were predominated. The type and number of nectaries were unique in Matthiola alyssifolia and M. longipetala. The nectar structure was usually constant among individuals of different populations of polymorphic species of M. chenopodiifolia, M. revolute, and M. longipetala.

To evaluate the deterioration rate and effect of different priming methods on improving seed germination on different seed accessions of Halocnemum strobilaceum provided by Natural Resources Gene Bank of Iran, To evaluate the deterioration rate, a standard germination test was performed on 42 seed accessions with different origin and collection dates. To study effect of different priming methods, treatments included gibberellic acid (250 and 500 mg/l), polyethylene glycol (-0.6 and -1.2 MPa), potassium nitrate 19.78 mM, stratification at 4 °C for one month, NaCl 100 mM and Chilling were compared in 1645, 33515 and 43882 accessions That5, 9 and 17 years were stored in the refrigerator. The results showed that the average seed deterioration rate was 3.53 %/y of stored seeds at 4 °C.Each seed accession showed a different reaction to prime treatment. Results indicated germination percentage improved in the accession 1645 by treatment NaCl 100 mM, in the accession 33515 by treatment gibberellic acid 500 NaCl 100 mM, and in the accession 43882 by control treatment. However, no significant differences were observed between radicle and pedicle lengths among different treatments. From the results of this experiment, it can be concluded that priming treatments can only express the potential of the seed. Therefore, for collecting and storing seeds for a long time, the health and initial quality of seeds are very important.

Hedysarum pseudomacranthum is described here as a new species to science. It is endemic to the Talesh Mountains, northwestern Iran. The species appears to be most closely related to H. macranthum, but differs from it in having different leaflet shape and dimensions, different color of the corolla, and longer keel’s claw. The distribution map as well as the picture from the holotype habit and the flower parts of the new species are presented here.

This study assesses the level of students learning of physics concepts in the field of kinematics based on the APOS model. In this model, students’ level of learning of concepts is graded at different levels. According to this model, students learn the concepts based on the mental structures of Action, Process and Object and these templates are matched together to create schema. the present study is qualitative research that was conducted as a survey method. The sample of this research is 94 male students in the secondary grade from Tehran city who have been randomly selected. The instrument is a researcher – made questionnaire   with 11 multi- part problems that consist of a total of 28 descriptive questions. The reliability of the test was estimated by Cronbach’s alpha and is approved in the amount of 0.904. the results of this study showed that most students have learned the kinematics concepts at the level of Action and Process, and most of them are unable to understand these concepts at the Object and Schema levels, so the construction of these concepts in the minds of most of them is incomplete and they have not learned these concepts correctly.

Acantholimon hamadanicum is described and illustrated as a new species from Hamadan province, in W Iran. The new species belongs to the Acantholimon sect. Acantholimon (Plumbaginaceae) and is closely related to A. wendelboi, but differs from it by glabrous stems and leaves and also the color of calyx limb between the nerves. A distribution map of the new species and its close relatives is provided and the habitat condition, as well as the conservation status of A. hamadanicum are discussed.

Medicago rigiduloides E. Small is a mostly Asian species that was recently separated from the extremely closely related, mostly European species, M. rigidula (L.) All. Medicago is a large genus of about 90 species, but there has never been a study of how any of these interact geographically where they meet. This, the first such study, documents the distribution ranges of the two species in Iran, based on 14 representative populations. The two species are extremely difficult to distinguish morphologically, so in addition to analysis of their morphology, molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was conducted, and the degree of reliability of the diagnostic characters of the two taxa was assessed. Medicago rigidula, known to be mainly European, was found to have extended into Iran bordering the Caspian Sea. Medicago rigiduloides was found to be widely distributed in northwestern, western, southwestern, and central Iran, consistent with the hypothesis that the taxon is mainly Asian. Thus, the main distributions of the two taxa appear to be mainly parapatric, presumably related to different adaptations to the local ecology.

In order to Identification of Ranunculaceae, morphological information of Delphinieae (Delphinium, Aconitum and 2 species of Consolida) was investigated to clarify taxonomic grouping this tribe. Delphinieae contains annual and perennial herb that similar in many anatomical and morphological traits. It was performed Morphological studies on 49 quality and quantity characteristics. Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS software and cluster analysis was performed by Average linkage method. PCA analysis was performed and the most variable character were identified. The first group includes Aconitum species and the second main group includes Delphinium and Consolida taxa (two species of Consolida were studied). Principle Component Analysis Showed that most variable character include: root form, tepal form, stem striate, stem color, bract form and anther color. Based on the phonogram obtained, the results of numerical taxonomy studies confirm the classical classification available in most flora. The findings of this study confirm that D. elbursense var. gymnobotrys could be have higher taxonomic level.

Concerning the increasing importance of feeding livestock with valuable fodder, the recent study was focused on characterizing the genetic and morphological diversity in bur clover (Medicago polymorpha) samples collected from different regions of Iran by using morphological traits and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) analysis. A total of 14 populations were collected and evaluated morphologically from three regions of Iran in June 2017. ITS-based phylogenetic analysis was carried out through maximum parsimony and Bayesian. The bur clover samples were morphologically categorized into some taxa related to the areas studied. From our results, a high level of diversity for most morphological characteristics was found among populations. Clustering analysis based on morphological information showed correlation with geographical distribution. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS data showed that, all accessions of M. polymorpha formed a monophyletic clade. The findings suggest the presence of high variation within bur clover samples accessible in different Iranian regions. The utilization of morphological traits coupled with ITS analysis found useful to track the evolution and origin of M. polymorpha in Iran.

Pollen grains micromorphological characteristics in nine genera of Chenopodiaceae (Atriplex, Bassia, Bienertia, Chenopodium, Dysphania, Haloxylon, Kochia, Salsola, and Suaeda) that tolerate more difficult ecological conditions in Iran were examined by Light Microscopy (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The obtained results showed that, the pollen grains quantitative and qualitative micromorphological characters were different in the studied species. A dendrogram obtained from the pollen grain characters in our research placed these taxa on two groups and three pollen types. Although, pollen group 1 had not taxonomical values. Pollen group 2 partly was in agreement with taxonomical level based on recently taxonomical and phylogenetic works including type A (Atriplex), type C (Chenopodium), and type D (Dysphania). Pore number had a major role to construct group 2. The number of echinate on pore membrane and on 10 μm2 area of exine had major roles in constructing of group 1. The other pollen grains characters were important for the delimitation of both groups.

The genera Rhamnus and Atadinus have been dealt as a sigle genus, namely Rhamnus or two distinct genera. The genus Atadinus, includesunarmed (not spiny) species with 6 or more pairs of lateral veins on leaves. Moreover, relationship of the species and subspecific taxa needed further studies. In order to delimit and elucidate the taxonomic relationships of Rhamnus L. and Atadinus Raf. taxa (Rhamnaceae) in Iran, morphometric data analyses were performed. Studies were based on 30 morphological characters (8 quantitative and 22 qualitative) potentially belonging to two genera, 14 taxa, 52 populations and 749 individuals. Data analyses were performed using SPSS, Past and Excel softwares. ClusteringandOrdination Analyses illustrated similarities and differences among the populations and taxa.The species referred to any of the genera Rhamnus and Atadinus were separated in clustering and ordination. Morphometric studies more or less confirmed former classification of the taxa in Iran. Some of the specimens having characters of 2 or more taxa supposed to be hybrids. Also, some of the collections seemed to be new subspecies.

In this survey, 9 Iranian taxa of Anemone L. and Pulsatilla Mill. are studied by their leaf macro and micro-morphological features to understand the importance of these characteristics in identifying taxa of these genera. In order to achieve more accurate results the scanning electronic microscope (SEM) is also used. Several features such as size, shape, trichome, epidermal pattern, segment shape and tip of leaf are tested. 4 types including Trisect, Palmately trisect, Ternately compound and Pinnaitesec are observed based on leaf shape and 4 types which are reticulate, rugos, striate and simple are identified based on epidermal pattern. Using Principal Component Analysis, it is observed that features such as length, shape, epidermal pattern and segment shape of leaf demonstrate the most distinctive characteristics and they are capable of separating the species and even the varieties. Furthermore, the separation of the taxa is well observed in phenogram.

The genus Tulipa L. is one of the most beautiful plant genera in Iran's flora, which has 12 species and one variety, among which T. ulophyla is endemic. A review of the geographical distribution pattern of Tulipa showed that Khorasan, Tehran, Golestan, and Hamedan provinces with 8, 7, 6, and 6, have the highest number of species, respectively. They are geographically distributed in all regions of Iran. Various biochemical compounds including carotenoids, anthocyanidins, delphinidin, cyaniding, and pelargonidin determine the color of tulips. The main constituents responsible for tulip scents are monoterpenoids, terpenoids, benzoids, and fatty acids. Based on a survey on the geographical distribution of the species, four species, including T. sogdiana, T. ulophylla, T. hoogiana, and T. lehmanniana, in Iran, are present in a low number of habitats, which means that any habitat damage may threaten these species. Due to the potential of ornamentation of tulip species, they can be used in landscape designing and flower farming by horticultural research

Deserts have been estimated to cover an area of 20-60 present of Iranian territory. In deserts a few number of plants have potential to live in. In these areas salty soil habitats, sand dunes and sterile soils including gypsy soils and marls still have less potential for plant growing and only a few number of plant species tolerate to grow on them. Many species of Chenopodiaceae family (sometimes has been included in Amaryllidaceae) naturally grow in these habitats. Chenopodiaceae includes ca. 100 genera and 1600 species in the world. In Iran, it includes 40 genera and 184 species and subspecific taxa, of which 16 taxa are endemics to Iran. Chenopodiaceae members are distributed in different phytogeographical areas of Iran as follows: 65.2 persent in Irano-Turanian, 7.6 persent in Saharo-Sindian, 2.2 persent in Euro-Siberian. The rests are either bi- or tri-regionals. As a whole, 96 persent of Chenopodiaceae members of Iran are either true Irano-Turanian or common with other known phytogeographicals of Iran. Halocnemum strobilaceum occurs nearly in all salty habitats of Iran and is possibly the most tolerant species of Iran to salty wet soils. In closed salty wet places or slaty lakes, its distribution extends closest to the centre of salt bearing habitats. The number of 43 species of Chenopodiaceae family grow in salty soils of Iran are listed in this paper. Haloxylon ammodendron is possibly one of the most tolerant species to dry habitats on sand dunes. Eighteen species grow on sand dunes and 16 species grow on sterile soils including gypsy soils sand marls are listed here. Among the Iranian natural plants, Bienertia cycloptera from Hamoon Jazmurian is the species that bear highest amount of water in its organs. Beet and Suger Beet (Beta vulgaris), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and Summer Cypress (Kochia scoparia) are directly or indirectly used by human. Many species of Chenopodiaceae, at least in dry condition are feeded by livestocks.

Anemone L. (Ranunculaceae) with ca. 150 morphologically variable species is distributed all over the world. Morphological characters are widely used to discriminate species. In the present study, therefore, the Iranian species of Anemone and Pulsatilla are investigated by their achene macro- and micro-morphological and anatomical features. The micro-morphological and anatomical studies are performed employing the scanning electronic microscope (SEM). Multivariate statistical analyses of various quantitative and qualitative characters of the achene as well as their anatomy, resulted in distinguishing four different achene types. Although, obvious differences are observed in the achene body surface; number of the endocarp and mesocarp layers, and in the shape and length of the style, it is also revealed that, features like the number of epicarp layers and margin surface, have no diagnostic values. The analyses are carried out by SPSS software, using the Ward’s and the Average linkage methods. Both the dendrograms showed that, the P. albana is separated from other species which is consistent with systematic studies and the achene features. Besides, in the present study, A. blanda is also rediscovered.

Alhagi is a small genus of desert or semi-desert shrubs with about six species widely distributed throughout northern Africa, eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East to the Central Asia, and small parts of India and China. Despite previous molecular and morphological studies on the genus, the taxonomy of Alhagi has been remained controversial. In order to delimit natural groups as well as to clarify interspecific relationships of Alhagi species distributed in Iran, 45 ingroup taxa representing 30 accessions of the genus Alhagi and 15 species from the sister genera, as well as two species, namely, Astragalus arthuri and Colutea persica as outgroups were selected. The nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer was employed for phylogenetic reconstructions. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The obtained results recovered Alhagi accessions as a well-supported monophyletic group. All three traditionally recognized species in Iran split into two distinct morphologically well-supported lineages similar to splits graph. The results showed that, Alhagi maurorum and A. graecorum are recognized as two distinct species distributed in two phytogeographical regions of Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Sindian. As a complementary taxonomic treatment, the diagnostic key and description of the species are also provided herewith.

During a revision of the genus Cerastium L. in Iran, Cerastium ponticum Albov was identified and is reported as a new record from Iran and Flora Iranica area. Morphological characteristics, as well as a full description and distribution of the new record are provided. This taxon is also compared with its close relative species.

Medicago minima (L.) Bartal. has received little agricultural development to date, while having potentially useful traits compared to other “medics”, e.g., annual species of section Spirocarpos. However, the range of variation in M. minima requires further studies. This research assessed the diversity of the pod morphological traits of 13 populations in the southwest, west, northwest, and north of Iran. In addition, variation in nuclear ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer (nrITS, ITS 1+5.8s+ITS 2) was evaluated. No geographical patterns of variation in the pod traits were found. The molecular phylogenetic assessments of 7 populations indicated low variability, thus being grouped into a well-supported monophyletic clade (99% Bootstrap support/1.00 Posterior Probability (PP)). Nevertheless, the pod morphological traits exhibited significant variations, most notably in Glandular Hairs (GH), with a coefficient variation of 58%. For breeding and possibly conservation purposes, the following populations demonstrated potentially useful characteristics: (1) Baghcheh population with the highest number of seeds per pod (4.6) and angle of spine insertion (2.87◦); (2) Khoramabad population with a higher number of spines on the middle coil (65.27); and (3) Sarvabad population with the greatest fruit length (3.71 mm), fruit diameter (4.17 mm), Seed Length Trait (SLT) (2.37 mm), and Seed Width Trait (SWT) (1.35 mm). In qualitative traits, Khoramabad, Baghcheh, Marivan, and Paveh populations had higher scores, particularly for glandular pubescence and Simple Hairs (SH) on their pods. Results of the correlation analysis were often null or negative; however, altitude indicated a positive relationship with glandular pubescence and SH. No obvious correlations were found between pod morphology and ITS variation and geographical proximity.

Medicago sinskiae is a poorly understood but fast-expanding species in western and southwestern Iran. The present study was performed to investigate its relationships with other taxa in the M. rigidula complex including M. constricta, and M. rigidula s.l. (including M. rigiduloides). The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were conducted on 29 morphological characters. The group was also examined based on the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. The morphological and genetic analyses indicated M. sinskiae (including both spiny and spineless variants) was a separate species, most closely related to M. rigidula and M. rigiduloides. The results also showed that the pod of this species had thornless and thorny varieties. Due to the distribution pattern and its presence in the collected samples, M. sinskiae is considered as a species with rapid expansion in the west and southwest of Iran.