Floristic study of Zar Cheshme protected region from Esfahan province

Zarcheshme protected region (no hunting area) is located at 60 km from south-west of Shahreza, north of Esferjan, 12 km from Hounejan and 130 km from Isfahan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the floristic composition, life form spectra, chorological analysis, and determine threatened criteria, medicinal, pastoral and poisonous plants from this region. All the data from this research are first reported for this area. The results of this study showed that a total of 150 species belonging to 115 genera, 33 families in this region. Seven families, 21 genera and 25 species were belonged to monocotyledons and 26 families, 94 genera and 125 species included dicotyledons. Moreover, Asteraceae was considered one of the largest families in this region including 22 genera and 28 species. Based on Raunkiaer's method, the life forms consisting of 50% hemicryptophytes, 25% therophytes, 11% geophytes, 7% chamaephytes, 4% phanerophytes and 3% hydrophytes were detected. From the chorological point of view, 73% were allocated to Irano-Touranian elements. It is worth noting that, 29 endemic species, 78 medicinal species, 51 pastoral species and 23 poisonous species were determined in this region. Based on the threatened species criteria, there were 19 species in lower risk and one species in vulnerable case.