Broadleaved

Groups of oak forests dominated by Quercus infectoria, Quercus libani and few other species are located in Kurdestan, West Azarbayjan, Kermanshah and North Lorestan where they constitute very special forests. The trees are scattered with a cushion of plants such as Acantholimon bromifolium var. ilamicum and Acanthophyllum squarosum.

Unfortunately, all these Quercus spp. are not of high wood quality. They grow at altitudes between 1 600 and 2 200 m. At the bottom of the valleys they grow with Juglans regia.

At altitudes over 3 000 m Carpinus orientalis in association with Quercus macranthera forms the highest zone of forest vegetation in the Caspian region. Trees are of small height and of no economic value. This association, with slight modifications, can be found north of Ardabil in Arasbaran.

In the eastern Zagros, at altitudes between 1 800 and 2 200 m, Pistacia mutica forms real forests. In the center of the Zagros Pistacia kKhindjuk joins Pistacia mutica.

The Khalijo-Ommanian vegetation or semi-savanna thorn forests occupy hot, dry regions of the Khalijo-Ommanian zone. These were savanna thorn forests but the drastic transformation of the natural vegetation resulted in the formation of hot, dry areas.

The main tree species are Acacia seyal, A. arabica, A. nubica and A. senegalis. Other plants are Stoksia brahuica, Periploca aphylla, Vitex pseudonegundo, Withania somnifera, Ziziphus nummularia, Olea aucheri, O. cuspidata, Cassia obovata, Thylophora tenuis, Boucerosia aucheriana, Telosma palida, Doemia extensa, Glossonema edula, Callotropis procera, Myrsine buxiflora, Salvadora oleoides, Caryopteris vallidhiana, Clerodendron priva, Euphorbia larica and Dalbergia sisso.

last updated: Wednesday, October 6, 2004