Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.
2
PhD Graduate, Department of Desert Management and Control, Faculty of Desert Studies, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
3
PhD student Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.
10.22075/ceasr.2025.38010.1054
Abstract
This study explores the ethnobotanical knowledge of local communities in the Siahmarzkouh rangelands of Mohammadabad Katul, Golestan Province, northern Iran. The aim was to document traditional uses of medicinal and edible plants, their preparation methods, and their role in local culture and livelihoods.
Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, participatory observation, and questionnaires with 53 residents (33 men, 20 women), mostly over 60 years old and with limited formal education. Their main occupations included livestock herding, horticulture, farming, and beekeeping.
A total of 58 plant species from 28 families were recorded. The most common families were Asteraceae (19%), Lamiaceae (10%), Poaceae (7%), and Rosaceae and Apiaceae (5% each). Frequently cited species included *Cichorium intybus*, *Allium rubellum*, *Urtica dioica*, *Mentha longifolia*, and *Physalis alkekengi*. These plants were mainly used for treating respiratory (32%), digestive (20%), urinary and circulatory (15%), dermatological (12%), and cold-related (7%) ailments, and also for food (9%).
Aerial parts (leaves, stems, flowers) were most commonly used. Preparation methods included decoctions, infusions, poultices, and raw or cooked consumption in traditional dishes. Herbaceous plants (49%) dominated, followed by shrubs (19%) and subshrubs (16%). The most frequent life forms were hemicryptophytes (31%), therophytes (26%), and geophytes (19%).
Despite rich traditional knowledge, the limited range of used species suggests a narrower ethnobotanical base than in other parts of Iran. The study highlights the importance of preserving this knowledge for biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of natural resources, and potential pharmaceutical applications.
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