Reflections on Joghasem: Ethno-Botany and Phytogeography of a plant in Iran

This is a model and map for studying Iranian plants which is provided as a result of long time researching of author and his fifteen interested, diligent and shrewd students. In this article the vegetative area of this plants in a quarter of Iran’s territory and the subculture of its picking and consumption especially in drought and famine periods are documented. The historically and linguistically meaningless name of Joghasem is explored and obtained up to more than its fifty synonyms in different provinces of Tehran, western and eastern Azarbayjans, Kermanshah, Ilam, and some parts of Zanjan, Isfahan, Hamedan and Markazi provinces. The article also ethnographically studies some samples of oral literatures, beliefs and norms which are related to this plant. By such small but deep field research, it provides some archaeological speculation. This field research also brings a new analysis about superstition. Before this, the dominant conception was that superstition is as the result of weak brains and the prevalence of related beliefs and behaviors. By this study it is clear now that most likely, at least some part of what is mentioned today as superstition is the result of advanced mind of the men of wisdom and society to control child, illiterates and fools of the age.