Beschreibung:
Iran lies within three major phytogeographical regions including the Euro-Siberian, Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Sindian regions. There are many microclimates and ecological niches in different parts of the country especially along the transitional and ecotone zones. The Mediterranean xeric oceanic (Mxo) microbioclimate is a noteworthy climatic condition which covers the lowland areas of the Mediterranean basin and surprisingly occurs also in three small patches in Iran, including the Sefid-Rud valley, southern foothills of Khabr Mountain and several valleys of western Jebal-e Barez Mountain range. The latter region is the subject of the present study. Unexpected occurrences of several Mediterranean species such as Cercis siliquastrum, Myrtus communis, Linaria iranica and Melissa officinalis are confirmed from this region and their distributions are briefly discussed in relation to climatic conditions.