Contribution to the flora and habitats of the Estil wetland (Astara) and its surroundings, Northwest Iran

Abstract

The present study involves the flora of the Estil wetland and its surroundings in Astara, northwest Iran. During 2006-07, we examined the plant specimens collected in this area and determined that there are 247 vascular plant taxa (229 species, 11 subspecies, and seven varieties) in 170 genera and 60 families. The largest families are Poaceae (27 taxa), Asteraceae (26), and Brassicaceae (21). Genera represented by the greatest number of species are <em>Ranunculus</em> (7), <em>Cyperus</em> (7) and <em>Polygonum</em> (6). From the chronological point of view, the largest proportion of the flora belongs to the pluriregional elements. The number of endemic taxa within the study area is 11 (4.5%). Using all references used, eight species and nine species are reported for the first time for the flora of northern Iran and Guilan Province, respectively.