Regel’s Eminium
Status: VU. A rare endemic species of the Western Tien Shan.
Description. A perennial plant with a tuber up to 20 - 40 cm in height. The tuber is flattened-spherical, up to 3 cm thick. The basal leaves are light green, elongated-lanceolate or elongated, with a petiole. The flower stalk, almost submerged in the ground, is 10 - 30 cm high. The flowers are unisexual, gathered in spike-like inflorescences, without perianth; the lower ones in the spike are pistillate, the upper ones are staminate. Above the staminate flowers, there are sometimes needle-like rudiments of flowers. The spike ends with a club-shaped appendage 5 - 9 cm long. The spathe is twice as long as the spike, 8 - 18 cm long, with a velvety black-purple interior, transitioning into a tube that envelops the lower part of the spike.
Biological features. It blooms in April-May; there is no data on fruiting. It reproduces by seeds.
Distribution in general and in the country. Western Tien Shan (foothills and lower belt of the Fergana, Chatkal, and At-Oinok mountain ranges) and Northern Pamir-Alai.
Habitat. On loess, less frequently on fine sandy and gravelly soils in the foothills and lower mountain zones.
Population. Extremely limited in nature. The species is endangered. It is found sporadically within its range.
Limiting factors. Intensive development of the foothills for dry-farming crops, excessive use of pastures in early spring.
Cultivation. No information available.
Existing conservation measures. Included in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz SSR (1985).
Recommended conservation measures. Protect the habitats of the species, organize monitoring of population status, introduce it in the botanical garden.
Regel’s root cluster
Regel’s Eminium
Eminium regelii Vved.
Status: EN. This is a rare endangered species sporadically spread in Western Tien Shan and Northern Alai-Pamirs. The species occurs as single individuals at loess soils in metal and silty-soil lands in piedmonts and low-montane zones of Chatkal, At-Oinok, and Fergana Mountain Ranges. The period of flowering is April - May; reproduction is generative (by seeds) only, with no data about cultivation. Limiting factors: intensive development of piedmonts for dry-farming land agriculture, excessive pasturage in early spring. Conservation options for this species: full protection of areas of occupancy, monitoring of populations in nature, and introduction in Bishkek Botanical Garden.
