Abstract

Iran’s rich plant biodiversity includes over 8,400 species, of which more than 2,300 possess medicinal properties. The research community comprised scientific documents on ethnobotany published between 2010 and 2022. Keywords related to ethnobotany, rangeland, and Iran were searched in the databases of scientific journals. All articles were downloaded and read. The collected data were analyzed using Excel. This study focuses on ethnobotanical research conducted in Iran’s rangelands and documents 158 ethnomedicinal species from 62 families. The most represented families were Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae, and Fabaceae. Leaves were the most commonly used plant part, and the dominant life forms observed were hemicryptophytes, therophytes, and phanerophytes. Female professors showed a higher interest in studying ethnobotanical knowledge compared to males. Despite a decline in traditional knowledge among the younger generation, Iranian residents continue to use plants for medicinal purposes. Further research is needed to identify additional species and conduct phytochemical and pharmacological studies, particularly for high-value plants. Evaluating efficacy and safety is crucial, with a priority on bioassay and toxicity studies. Understanding and preserving Iran’s rich ethnobotanical heritage is important for the sustainable use of medicinal plants.

Key words: Ethnobotany, scientific documents, biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, medicinal plants, Iran.