Hyrcanian Forests Vegetation

The Hyrcanian Forests are temperate broad leaf deciduous forests which cover the northern side of Albourz Mountains and make a green belt in north of Iran in the south of Caspian Lake. The Hyrcanian Forests are relicts of tertiary and because of this they are named ancient forests. The Hyrcanian Forest Vegetation in National Botanical Garden has been built up in an area of about 8 hectares for conservation, educational, research as well as tourist attractions purposes. Natural woody and herbaceous species of Caspian forests were planted in this section. A lake of 8000 square meters with a depth of 3 meters provides necessary humidity for the plants in this collection. Two rivers run into this lake, one from Albours section and the other from Reservoir Lake in the fruit garden. There is a plantation of Cupressus sempervirence in the south side of the lake representing the natural vegetation of this species in north of Iran. A collection of ferns, bulbs and herbaceous perennials have been planted in a small valley within the forest. This forest has established very well and many species like Acer velutinum, Buxus hyrcana, Gleditsia caspica, Quercus castaneifolia, Carpinus betulus, Parrotia persica, Pterocarya fraxinifolia and Zelkova carpinifolia have regenerated successfully.