Chenopodiaceae family in Iran, the plans tolerant to harshly and unfavorable habitats

Deserts have been estimated to cover an area of 20-60 present of Iranian territory. In deserts a few number of plants have potential to live in. In these areas salty soil habitats, sand dunes and sterile soils including gypsy soils and marls still have less potential for plant growing and only a few number of plant species tolerate to grow on them. Many species of Chenopodiaceae family (sometimes has been included in Amaranthaceae) naturally grow in these habitats. Chenopodiaceae includes ca. 100 genera and 1600 species in the world. In Iran, it includes 40 genera and 184 species and subspecific taxa, of which 16 taxa are endemics to Iran. Chenopodiaceae members are distributed in different phytogeographical areas of Iran as follows: 65.2 persent in Irano-Turanian, 7.6 persent in Saharo-Sindian, 2.2 persent in Euro-Siberian. The rests are either bi- or tri-regionals. As a whole, 96 persent of Chenopodiaceae members of Iran are either true Irano-Turanian or common with other known phytogeographicals of Iran. Halocnemum strobilaceum occurs nearly in all salty habitats of Iran and is possibly the most tolerant species of Iran to salty wet soils. In closed salty wet places or slaty lakes, its distribution extends closest to the centre of salt bearing habitats. The number of 43 species of Chenopodiaceae family grow in salty soils of Iran are listed in this paper. Haloxylon ammodendron is possibly one of the most tolerant species to dry habitats on sand dunes. Eighteen species grow on sand dunes and 16 species grow on sterile soils including gypsy soils sand marls are listed here. Among the Iranian natural plants, Bienertia cycloptera from Hamoon Jazmurian is the species that bear highest amount of water in its organs. Beet and Suger Beet (Beta vulgaris), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and Summer Cypress (Kochia scoparia) are directly or indirectly used by human. Many species of Chenopodiaceae, at least in dry condition are feeded by livestocks.