PRELIMINARY SURVEY AND ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF SOME WILD BRASSICACEAE SPECIES IN IRAQ

Abstract

This study investigates the ecological roles and geographical distribution of sixteen wild Brassicaceae species across most districts of Iraq, including arid and mountainous regions. A total of 263 herbarium specimens were analyzed, including specimens preserved from the 1950s to 2025, Erysimum cuspidatum (M.Bieb) DC. (1821), which was recently reported by the same authors, and 8 newly collected specimens from recent field surveys.

    The main objectives were to evaluate habitat preferences, soil types, and adaptive strategies of these species in arid and semi-arid regions. Results indicate that the studied species can grow in a wide range of soils, including limestone, rocky areas, sandy, and loamy substrates, demonstrating ecological plasticity and wide distribution across Iraq. This study provides a baseline for understanding the plant diversity of Iraq and contributes to future conservation efforts for Brassicaceae species and their habitats.

    The species examined are: Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl (1892), Rorippa amphibia (L.) Besser (1821), Barbarea vulgaris W.T. Aiton (1812), Barbarea plantaginea DC. (1821),  Farsetia aegyptia Turra (1765), Farsetia burtoniae Oliv. (1880), Euclidium syriacum (L.) W.T. Aiton (1812), Erucaria hispanica (L.) Druce (1914),  Erucaria cakiloidea (DC.) O.E.Schulz. (1916), Fibigia macrocarpa (Boiss.) Boiss. (1867), Strigosella grandiflora (Bunge) Botsch. (1972), Plagioloba crenulata (DC.) German D.A. (2021), Arabis auriculata Lam. (1783),  Arabis hirsuta (L.) Scop. (1771), Erysimum cuspidatum (M.Bieb) DC. (1821) and Erysimum aucheranum J.Gay, (1842).