Investigating ecological characteristics of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. in the rangeland Ecosystems in the West of Isfahan Province

Iran's central Zagros is the homeland of some species of genus Stachys, one of the largest species of Labiatae family, such as Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. species. Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. is a plant 25cm long with fleecy and furred stem which ends to fleecy inflorescence and long fragrant fiber. Different medicinal effects have been attributed to this plant in the literature of Iran world's traditional medicine. The aim of this paper was to study the ecological factors of Stachys lavandulifolia not only to know ecological features of this plant, but also to take steps for keeping and using it. To this end, climatical, physiographical, physical and chemical features of the soil were investigated in the west of Esfahan, where it grows. The finding of the study indicated that this plant has suitable growth in regions whit average annual rainfall of 372.8 mm , average annual temperature of 10.2cm, annual evaporation 1955mm, average frost days 142 days, and semi- arid and cold climate. The results obtained from the physiography of range sites studied in this paper showed that this plant can grow both in places with different slops and fluctuations ( 6-23%) and in highest and lowest places with the high difference of 592.6m. the soil in which Stachys lavandulifolia grows has a silt clay loam, a little alkaline, without salt, and in terms of organic materials and the amount of Calcium and Potassium is average.