Floristic diversity and vegetation analysis ofMalva parviflora L. Populations in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Botany Department-Faculty Of Women–Ain Shams University

2 Botany Department -Faculty Of Science – Helwan University

Abstract

The present work aimed to study the distribution, floristic diversityand vegetation analysis of associated florastoMalva parviflora populationeight governorates in Egypt,.One hundred and fifty one stands (10m X 10m) were surveyed in late autumn to early spring (2014-2015 and 2015-2016). The present results reviled that Malva parviflora population were distributed in 12 habitats; canal banks, fallow land, desert, desert road sides, Agriculture road sides, railway, cultivated plants, cultivated crops, ditches, salt marches, reclaimed lands and orchards.One hundred and forty one belonging to 48 genera and 35 families were recorded associated with M. parviflora. The dominant families were Poaceae, Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Fabaceae and Brassicaceae. Annuals recorded the highest number of species (88 species) while perennials were represented by 53 species. Therophytes were the dominant life form represented by 88 species while pluri-regional elements represented the dominant floristic category (30% of the total species). The application of TWINSPAN on the cover estimates of 141 associated species recorded in the 151 sampled stands of M. parviflora, led to the recognition of 14 vegetation groups. Chenopodium murale-Cynodon dactylon (VG H)had the highest number of species (75 species), species turnover and Shannon index (8.4 and 3.6). It is clear from the study that Malva parvifloraplants have high elasticity to grow in diverse habitat and rich in plant diversity and is a resource for many plant species of environmental, economic and medical importance, which indicates its importance.
 
 
 

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