Investigation of the flora, life forms and phytochorology of the plants in the Mehroieh wild life refuge of Kahnuj, Kerman, Iran

Mehroieh Wild Life Refuge with including of special variety of plants, elected for more investigation. For more complete studying, extent of area increased of primary area of 7000 ha to 15000 ha .This area is located in 65 km of north of Kahnuj city and is formed of plain, foothill, valleys and mountain. Drought period in area is 180 days from middle of May to middle of November. Based on developed de´ Martonne method, the climate is arid - deserted and warm. Range of altitude in this area is between 630 to 1200 m a.s.l.. 270 plant species is reported from this area. They are including 5 ferns, 1 gymnosperm and 260 angiosperms (211 dicotyledons, 43 monocotyledons). These species are belonging to 56 families and 194 genuses. Studying of life forms species by Raunkiaer method showed that, therophytes with 42 % species and hemi cryptophytes with 25 % species are the most frequent life forms. Investigation of phytogeographic and endemism aspects showed that, of 38 endemic speciesof Iran and plateau of Iran, Asteraceae with 10 and Lamiaceae with 4 species are most important families. Saharo-Sindian with 23 % species; Irano-Touranian, Saharo-Sindian with 16.6 % and Irano-Touranian with 15.5 % species are most important regions. Altogether, Saharo-Sindian elements had more influenced in this area. More frequent families such as Asteraceae, Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, Brassicaceae and life form of therophyt is indicated of desert area that, this accorded to results of other researches in these areas.