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AREAS FOR FURTHER PLANT EXPLORATION

There are two general areas in Iran which have been only
partially collected by the Smith and Gentry excursions of 1954 and
1955.  These are the western slopes of the Zagros Range in western
Iran and the El Borj Range of northern Iran.

The western slopes of the Zagros through the middle and higher
elevations support tree growth of oaks, ash, pines, Prunus, and other
Rosaceae.  The areas about Korramabad and south and west of Kermanshah
should contain many species of grasses of xerophytic types with valuable
survival characters.  They are inhabited by people of the Lur
tribe, however, and as these people continue to practice and venerate
robbery, forays into such areas should be made with preliminary care.
The field man should make certain that he proceeds under the auspices
of an influencial chief, as only such a person may protect him from
robbery and assault by tribal members.

In northwestern Iran more localities like Kuhe Sahand and Kuhe
Sabelon should be searched for, as both the highland slopes and
meadows appear to foster endemic varieties within broad complex
species, as Agropyron and Bromus.  The same can be said for the Borj
Range around the southern Caspian area.  The Lor River area of the
Borj is readily accessible by car and horse from Tehran and was reported
by ICA range men to have excellent grassland, which has been
protected from over-grazing as another summer range for army horses.
Access can be arranged through the Iranian Army Department. Further
east in the Borj Range there are reported to exist extensive plateau
        