Rosaceae family in Iran, its taxonomic, ecosystem and economic importance

Rosaceae family consists of 25 genera and 290 taxa in Iran. Among them, 85 taxa are endemic to Iran. The most important endemic genera of Iran in terms of the species number include Alchemilla, Prunus, Potentilla, Pyrus, Crataegus, Cotoneaster, Sorbus, Drymocalis, Rubus, and Geum, respectively. This family has unique importance with the predominance of its members in the vegetation of the Irano-Turanian region, Alborz and Zagros forests, and scrublands of transition areas. Some genera in these areas include Pyrus, Crataegus, Prunus, Malus, Cotoneaster, and Rosa. The geographical distribution of this family is in all parts of Iran in the central plateau highlands except the coastal strip of southern Iran. In addition to their valuable role in vegetation, Rosaceae members are also economically important in human societies due to having edible fruits. Medically, a number of them, such as Prunus, Cotoneaster, and Crataegus, are used in various drugs.