Introduction

Global estimates suggest that more than a third of wild plants are threatened with extinction [1], either due to climate change or invasive plants that threaten 55%of local plant communities and unsustainable overuse commercial, industrial, therapeutic, overgrazing ,urban sprawl or ill–considered land use, etc. therefore protecting important areas for plant diversity is an essential element of plant conservation activities in all countries as a basis for providing ecosystem services and conserving biodiversity that supports sustainable livelihoods. Conserving wild plants on the basis of local (in situ) is the most successful way to preserve plant diversity and protect it from the effects of climate change and other factors [2],and identifying rare highly rare and endangered species contributes to their assessment, protection, conservation and preservation of their genetic resources, and ensuring optimal investment in this vital and important aspect of biodiversity [3].

Materials and Methods

A. Materials

1. Protective gloves with a shovel for plants uproot, a high-resolution digital camera,a foldable metric scale, a color bar (2m) and scissors for cutting branches.

2.Geographical Information Systems (GPS) to determine sampling locations at sea level.

3. Specially sealed bags for collecting samples,and labels with the place and date of sample collection written on them.

4.Carton packages, newspaper paper, wooden presses, herbal scales, carton packages, and paper adhesive.

5.Thermal fans, in which succulent plants were dried that could not be dried in the usual way.

B. Methods

1. Field Visits

The various field trips were carried out at the rate of three field trips per month for almost every study area at regular times as much as possible, as the samples were photographed and collected in clear weather (not windy or rainy), and they were carefully selected to be free from diseases and fungal infections.

2. Pressing the Plant Samples

The samples were pressed after being shaken and washed from the dust between newspapers and regular cardboard, and packed between the wooden presses, taking into account opening them and moving them daily until they dried. Then, they were transferred to the herbaceous-size cardboard and fixed with paper tape, and their information patch was pasted on the lower right side of the sample. Written on it are the sample number, the local name, the area and place of collection, the name of the collector or collectors, and the date of collection[4]

3. Scientific Classification of Plants

The plants were classified scientifically, mentioned its permanenceand its various uses based on the Iraqi flora [5], the lowland flora in Iraq [6], the first part of the updated lowland flora in Iraq [7], the second part of the updated lowland flora in Iraq [8], the geographical distribution of Iraqi wild plants [9],the poisoning plant in Iraq [10] plant wealth in Iraq[11];Desert pastures in Iraq[12];Taxonomic ranksof wild dicotyledons in Sodoor region-Diyala[4];Asurvey of wild dicot plants in Diyala province [3]; Medicinal herbs in the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia[13];Poisonous plants and their uses in the manufacture of medicines [14]; Medicinal plants and herbs and herbal medicine[15]; Flora of Iraq Vol:5 including (Apiaceae) [16]; Flora of Iraq, Vol :6:1 including (Composite) [17]; Plant Taxonomy [18]; Acomparative taxonomic study of some wild species of the Cruciferous family in Diyala Governorate[19].

4. Preservation of Plant Specimens

The samples, after their complete information was written down, were placed inside plastic bags, and the bags were well closed in order to preserve the samples from breakage and damage and were kept in the herb.

Results and Discussion

A. Results

The botanical survey of the areas of Diyala Governorate during the research period (2021–2022-2023) showed the presence of 20 wild rare and endangered species organized into 19 genera, whose taxonomic ranks belong to the 10 family , and it is clear from Table (1) that all of collected plants are herbaceous plants, 14 species of which are annual, 6 types of which are perennial.

From Table 2 Shows the location of rare and endangered plants within the five provinces in which the research area is located according to the Guest map of Iraqi plant provinces [19],as well as their its various uses in the study area.

The results of the botanical survey of the study area during the research period showed that these plants are rarly distributed in terms of the number of samples collected and their distribution areas, this may be attributed to climate changes such as high temperatures, drought,low rainfall or urban expansion at the expense of pastures and agricultural lands,Given the nutritional, therapeutic, medicinal, fodder and other local uses of these plants ,so its necessary to continue botanical surveys for the purposes of preserving and sustaining them, as well as sustaining the vegetation cover and biodiversity [20].

Figure 1. 1. Caropodium platycarpum, 2. Eryngium creticum

Figure 2. 3. Andryala sp , 4. Artimesia scoparia

Figure 3. 5. Centaurea solstitalis , 6. Chondrilla juncea

Figure 4. 7. Gamochaeta pensylvanica , 8. Scolymus maculatus

Figure 5. 9. Cynomorium coccoineum , 10. Brassica deflexa

Figure 6. 11. Cardamin hirsute , 12. Diplotaxis acris

Figure 7. 13. Diplotaxis tenuifolia , 14. Rapistrum ragosum

Figure 8. 15. Lomelosia palaestina , 16. Cucumis melo

Figure 9. 17. Hippocrepis multisiliquosa , 18. Hibiscus trionum

Figure 10. 19. Ibicella lutea , 20. Zygophyllum fabago

Conclusion

This study documented 20 rare and endangered dicotyledonous plant species in Diyala Province, classified into 19 genera and 10 families, with varied ecological and socio-economic roles ranging from food and medicine to fodder and industry. The restricted distribution and low abundance of these species underscore the severe pressures posed by drought, declining rainfall, and anthropogenic activities such as urban expansion and overgrazing. These findings highlight the urgent need for conservation strategies that prioritize in situ preservation, sustainable land use, and integration of traditional ecological knowledge to safeguard local biodiversity. Moreover, the results provide a foundational dataset for policymakers and conservationists seeking to design biodiversity management programs in Iraq. Further research should explore genetic diversity, climate resilience, and community-based conservation approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of these valuable plant resources.