Plant Diversity ›› 2017, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (05): 245-262.DOI: 10.1016/j.pld.2017.09.002

• Reviews • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Iran supports a great share of biodiversity and floristic endemism for Fritillaria spp. (Liliaceae):A review

Mahmoud Kiania, Shirin Mohammadib, Alireza Babaeic, Fatemeh Sefidkond, Mohamad Reza Naghavie, Mojtaba Ranjbara, Seyed Ali Razavia, Keramatollah Saeidif, Hadi Jafaric, Davoud Asgarig, Daniel Potterh   

  1. a Department of Biotechnology & Medicinal Plants, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran;
    b Department of Horticultural Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran;
    c Department of Horticultural Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran;
    d Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran;
    e Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran;
    f Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahre Kord University, Shahre Kord, Iran;
    g Department of Physiology & Breeding of Ornamental Plants, Engineering Faculty of Horticulture Sciences, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran;
    h Department of Plant Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, USA
  • Received:2017-04-10 Revised:2017-09-06 Online:2017-10-25 Published:2021-11-05
  • Contact: Mahmoud Kiani

Abstract: Iran supports a great share of exotic and/or endemic plant genera and species. The genus Fritillaria (Liliaceae) is a precious part of this botanical richness with 19 species, of which 10 are endemic to the country. However, signs are mounting that the country is truly at a crossroads when it comes to preservation of this national wealth. In this regard, an effective conservation strategy should thoroughly consider the classification of Fritillaria, as conservation practices are compromised by knowledge gaps in systematics and taxonomy. As published studies on Fritillaria in Iran have been sporadic and limited in scope, the aim of this review is to provide information necessary to help bridge these information gaps. Our objective is to facilitate increased understanding of the geographic, taxonomic, cytogenetic and phylogenetic status of Iranian Fritillaria, which is vital to meeting the goal of sustainable conservation of the genus in Iran and neighboring areas.

Key words: Conservation, Ecosystem, Endemic, Phylogenetic, Middle East, Taxonomy