Araksya H. Elbakyan

This article presents new floristic records for vascular plant species in the Eastern Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and Armenia, based on field surveys conducted between 2018 and 2024 and a critical revision of herbarium specimens deposited in the collections of LE, ERE, TAD, PPIU, DAG, and MHA. In total, approximately 40 new localities are documented for 24 species, encompassing endemic, Red Data Book, and alien taxa. In Tajikistan (Eastern Gissar and Central Zeravshan subregions), five new populations of endemic species were recorded: Nepeta subhastata, N. odorifera, N. gontscharovii, Eminium alberti. In Kazakhstan (Inder Solyanokupolnyy Province [belongs to the Caspian Lowland; located within the Inder District in the north of the Atyrau Region of Kazakhstan], West Kazakhstan Region), seven species are reported as new to the regional floras, including Astragalus sareptanus, A. astrachanicus, Matthiola superba, Zygophyllum ovigerum, Rorippa wolgensis, and Jurinea persimilis; most of these findings are associated with karst landscapes that served as refugia during the Khvalynian transgression of the Caspian Sea. In the Russian Federation, Tanacetum macrophyllum and Digitalis ferruginea subsp. schischkinii are reported for the first time for Dagestan, Poacynum sareptanum – for Kalmykia (based on herbarium re-identification), and the North American invasive Grindelia squarrosa – for the Astrakhan Region, where it is actively spreading along roadsides. In Armenia, twelve new locality records are provided for eight species across several floristic regions, including the endemic Ferula dseghica (Yerevan floristic region), the relict Monotropa hypopitys (Sevan floristic region), new records of Parnassia palustris for the Zangezur floristic region, and the adventive Digitaria ciliaris for the Yerevan floristic region. The results highlight the conservation significance of karst landscapes in Kazakhstan and subalpine habitats in Tajikistan as refugia for rare endemics and underscore the active expansion of alien species along transportation corridors in the Caspian lowlands. The data contributes to updateing regional floristic checklists and Red Data Books.

Author information: KMa, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7658-0844; JK, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9983-7630; RGA, https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0176-7252; JČ, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2370-2051; AHE, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7930-5696; SVG, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7678-9648; AGG, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4580-2061; AVH, https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4791-3919; IH, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9905-381X; ZHH, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8880-2144; IJ, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2105-5310; TK, –; EK, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9641-5750; FK, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8793-7992; CL, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2450-5455; TM, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6485-0563; KMa, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7658-0844; LYuM, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9385-6462; LM, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4478-5930; LAM, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1283-3865; KMu, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1585-6226; YMN, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4749-0839; AAN, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4380-7715; MN, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1594-2418; AP, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3620-6695; AVP, https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3522-5936; PP, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8500-442X; BŠ, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6487-6373; KS, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1452-5428; MŠ, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5919-890X; SŠ, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4809-4379; GŠ, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7439-2911; EZ, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2992-2941; JZ‐L, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8950-6643

Amberboa moschata (L.) DC. (Asteraceae) is an endangered species, listed in the Red Book of Plants of the Republic of Armenia. The restricted extent of occurrence and habitat degradation necessitate conservation measures of this species, not only in the wild but also through ex situ cultivation. This study examines the comprehensive morpho-phenological, karyological, palynological, eco-physiological, and ornamental characteristics of A. moschata in the context of ex situ conservation. A. moschata plants cultivated ex situ demonstrated high adaptive traits, undergoing a full development cycle and experiencing less water stress compared to wild populations. The diploid cytotype has been found for the species to be 2n = 32, the karyotype is asymmetric, with chromosomes, 0.77–1.91 µm in size. The average pollen fertility of A. moschata is high, 96.7–96.9% in both natural and cultivated samples. A scale of decorativeness was developed, which includes 15 characteristics of the plant, providing an objective means to assess its visual appeal. The scale can be useful for integrating A. moschata into various landscaping schemes. Under cultivation, the total ornamental period lasts approximately 98 days, with the peak ornamental effect observed during the flowering phase, which spans 68–70 days. The study recommends A. moschata for inclusion in living collections in botanical gardens and for use in ornamental gardening and landscaping as part of its ex situ conservation strategy. A map, original photographs, and tables illustrate the article.

The article presents data on morpho-phenological, karyological, palynological, some eco-physiological and ornamental features of the Armenian flora endangered species Amberboa moschata (L.) DC. (Asteraceae). According to conducted exploration, the plants cultivated in the Yerevan Botanical Garden have satisfactory adaptive capacity, a complete development cycle, the ability to form mature seeds and self-renewal by seeds, and higher parameters of total moisture, transpiration intensity and photosynthesis compared to natural ones. The diploid cytotype has been found for the species to be 2n=32, the karyotype is asymmetric, with chromosomes, 0.77–1.91µm in size. The average pollen fertility of A. moschata is high, 96.7–96.9% in both natural and cultivated samples. A scale of ornamental properties of A. moschata has been compiled, including 15 characteristics of the plant. The total duration of plant ornamental period under cultivation is about 98 days, the maximum ornamental effect is observed during the flowering period of 68–70 days. The studied species is recommended for creating living collections in botanical gardens and utilization in ornamental gardening and landscaping as measures for its ex situ conservation. The article is illustrated with a map, original photographs and tables.