Floristic study of Munjughlu sanctuary zone in Marakan protected area (East Azarbaijan province, NW Iran)

Abstract

<span>Munjughlu sanctuary zone with 5270 hectares in East Azarbaijan province is one of three sanctuary zones in the Marakan protected area.</span><span>During 2008–2009, 236 taxa (23 subspecies, 22 varieties and one form) belonging to 166 genera and 38 families were collected and determined for this zone.</span><span>Among them, 208 taxa are dicots and 28 are monocots. Family <em>Compositae</em> with 46 species and <em>Cruciferae</em> with 23 species are the largest families followed by<em>Amaranthaceae</em> with 21 species and <em>Poaceae</em> with 16 species. The most diverse genera are <em>Astragalus</em> and <em>Centaurea</em>. This area contains 14 endemic taxa, seven rare taxa and five monotypic genera. For the first time, 21 taxa from Northwest Iran and 14 taxa from East Azarbaijan and a single taxon from East and West Azarbaijan are reported here. </span>