Nineteen species of mostly epiphytic lichens from the forests of Nowshahr and Royan located in Mazandaran province (N Iran) are reported. Three species, Ochrolechia pallescens, Phaeophyscia confusa and Usnea longissima, are newly reported for lichenized mycota of Iran and seven species are new to the province. Additionally, a short history of lichenological exploration in the Hyrcanian forest is discussed.