Eduard’s Imperial Crown
Status: EN B1ab(i,ii,iv,v). In Kyrgyzstan - the only one of three very locally distributed species of the genus, at the northern limit of distribution, detached from the main range. As a highly decorative species with a decreasing range and population due to anthropogenic factors, it is included in several regional red books.
Description. Bulbous polycarpic. The bulb has four scales, is odorless, oval-spherical, 4-9 cm in diameter (up to 1 kg in weight in cultivation). The stem is straight, ribbed, glabrous, 37-95 (up to 150) cm tall, stem leaves are bright green, elongated-lanceolate, semi-stem-embracing, pointed, lower leaves 10-15 (up to 22.5) cm long and 5-12 cm wide. The inflorescence has up to 15 flowers (more often 4-5); flowers on bent short pedicels, drooping by the end of flowering [34]. The perianth is bright red (with purple-brown veins), broadly bell-shaped, 4.5-6.5 cm long. The fruit is a dry capsule 6-7 cm long, with small brown seeds.
Biological features. An ephemeral, sprouts appear shortly after the snow melts; does not flower with excessive moisture. Flowers from early March to late May, depending on specific growing conditions, the duration of flowering of individuals is up to 15 days; the aroma of the flowers is weak, the sugar concentration in the nectar is low, but insects of 13 species have been noted on the flowers [34]; tits also participate in pollination [90, 34]. Fruiting occurs in May-June, above-ground parts die off by mid-summer. It grows in groups, sometimes almost solid meadows, less often singly. In nature, renewal is almost exclusively by seeds (replacement bulbs form inside the mother bulbs, at a depth of 15-30 cm), seed germination is less than 60% [2], seedlings flower in the 7th-9th year of life [25, 37].
General distribution and in the country. Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Northern Afghanistan, Kashmir [25, 37], Kyrgyzstan [34]. In the Central Asian part of the range, it is sporadically found on the Hissar (southern macro-slope), Karategin, Vakhsh, Darvaz (west), Peter the First (west), Gazimaylik, Babatag, Buritau, Sanglok, Alai (northwestern foothills, [27, 25, 37: "Sokh River basin"]), as well as Khozratisho and Turkestan (northeast) [34]. In Kyrgyzstan - two localities in the Turkestan Range: on the northern slopes of the Aigul-Tash (Silam-Tash), Kozulan-Tash and Ptoo (Pytavu) (southeast of Batken, Isfara River basin), and along the left bank of the Laili-Mazar River gorge (near the village of Baul, Lailak River basin) [34, 35]. Reports of other locations [34] require verification.
Habitat. On drained carbonate soils, on moist large-block limestone taluses in the black forest zone, on slopes with outcrops of gypsum among shrubs, less often on open sloping grassy surfaces, under rocks (usually on the western side), in the middle mountain belt, at altitudes of 700-2500 m above sea level (in Kyrgyzstan - 1550-2000 m above sea level, on steep northern slopes) [34].
Population. Overall, it is low and continues to decrease; in Kyrgyzstan, the density in local aggregations reaches 100 individuals (genetic individuals make up about half) on surveyed plots of 10x10 m [1,34].
Limiting factors. Overgrazing, low level of actual reproduction, habitat degradation due to intensive anthropogenic pressure (grazing, shrub cutting, recreation [34]) and possibly regional climate changes (especially precipitation patterns), direct extraction (collection of bulbs and especially flowers for bouquets). The impact of natural pests is insignificant [34], it has no pharmaceutical significance in Kyrgyzstan. Cultivation. Successfully carried out in several botanical gardens around the world, probably for more than 150 years [34, 2]. It is absent in the collection of the Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic (in Bishkek), but is cultivated by local residents of the Batken region for decorative purposes [1,34].
Existing conservation measures. Populations in Kyrgyzstan are outside protected areas, but in habitats, grazing and flower collection for bouquets are regulated at the initiative of local residents [1,34]. The species is included in the Red Book of Uzbekistan [27], and in Tajikistan, it is protected in the Ramit and Dashti-Jum reserves [18].
Recommended conservation measures. Support for local community initiatives, granting the species' habitats the status of a National Park, promoting species conservation. Prohibit the collection of bulbs and grazing, introduce it into cultivation in botanical gardens. It is also proposed to create conditions for natural snow retention and shading [34].
Aigul, Eduard’s Imperial Crown
Eduard’s Imperial Crown
Fritillaria eduardii Regel (Petilium eduardii (A. Regel ex Lozinsk.) Vved.)
Status: Endangered (EN B1 ab(i,ii,iv,v)), sporadically distributed Hissar - Hindu Kush species at the northern limit of its disjunctive area, a highly decorative plant with a decreasing range and population. In the Republic, it is known in two localities at the northern macro-slope of the eastern part of the Turkestan Mountain Range, at 1,550-2,000 m above sea level. The species occurs between shrubs on dump carbonized soils, reproducing mainly by seeds. Limiting factors: pasture, collection of flowers and bulbs, low reproductive ability, climatic changes. Flowering period: 2 weeks from early April to early May, depending on elevation, fruiting in May - June. This noticeable early blooming plant has been widely known in cultivation as an ornamental species for a long time. Currently, it is protected in the Republic only by some initiatives of local people. The creation of special wildlife areas with limitations on any disturbance is needed for the conservation of the species.
