Study of Flora and medicinal plants of Kowsar County (Ardabil province, Iran)

Medicinal plants are one of the important sources of medicine that humans have used for many years; and economic value of herbs and development of herbal therapist attitudes in the world are increasingly evident in their importance. Although the collection of medicinal plants is economically viable, need to preserve plant species in natural resources as genetic reserves and biodiversity are essential. This study aims are identifying flora, species life forms, chorotype and medicinal properties of Kowsar County. Plant specimens were collected between May to June at growth seasons of ۲۰۱۶-۲۰۱۷ and prepared according to standard herbarium techniques, life form, and medicinal properties; and recognized according to the mentioned literature. According to results in studied area ۶۸ medicinal species of ۶۱ genera and ۲۴ families were identified. The major plant family of study area was Asteraceae. Highest life forms of plants in this region are Hemicryptophyte that is showing the mountainous cold climate; and more species (۳۰.۸ percent) are Irano-Turanian. Also, observed that, plants produced special substances (with medicine properties) in their roots, leaves, flowers, or seeds. Finally, a better strategy for future fieldwork might be to identify a series of relatively undisturbed areas and systematically compile local floras for them and use of medicinal properties of plants along with livestock feeding.

Keywords:

Flora , Life form , Chorotype , Medicine , Ardabil province