Floristic study of Islamabad Gharb area in the central Zagros

The aim of this research was to identify the plant species, introducing the flora and plant geographical distribution of Islamabad Gharb area, Kermanshah province. This area, with 4654 km2, is located in Kermanshah province. The method of plant collection was field survey which is one of classical methods of floristic studies. The geographical distribution and life form of plant species were determined by using of Raunkiaer’s method and Iran’s phytogeography classification, respectively. 2 Pteridophytes, 2 Gymnosperms, 270 dicotyledons and 55 monocotyledons into 329 identified vascular plant species exit in Islamabad Gharb area. These species were belonging to 69 families and 222 genera. The large families based on abundance of species are Fabaceae (28 species), Asteraceae (27 species), Brassicaceae (25 species) and Apiaceae (24 species). Therophytes (40.43%) were the most frequent life form. 48.64% of species belonging to Irano-Turanian region. 7 species are endemics of Iran which among them, distribution of Stachys kermanshahensis Rech.f. limited to Kemanshah province.