Turkestan Smoke Plant / Turkestan Fumitory / Microfumitory
Turkestan fumitory
Status: Category ENBlab(iii,iv). A representative of the monotypic [60, 25] genus (a unique element of the gene pool), threatened with extinction due to narrow endemism in an area with increasing anthropogenic pressure.
Description. Annual plant 6-10 cm tall. Leaves on long threadlike petioles, twice trifoliate; segments on long petiolules, lobes sessile, entire, 2-3-lobed or dissected. Inflorescences (2-10 flowers) opposite to the leaf, flower stalks slightly shorter than the leaves, racemose, shortened, almost umbrella-like. Bracts very small, scale-like; corolla yellow, outer petals broad, flat, lower one obovate, upper one narrowly obovate, with a bag-like protrusion at the base, but without a spur; inner petals narrow and short. Fruit - a one-seeded achene about 3 mm long and up to 1 mm wide, turning black upon ripening [60].
Biological features. Insufficiently studied. Flowers from late May to July [60, 35], fruits in July-August [27, 35], about half of the seeds do not mature; vegetative reproduction is absent [25].
General and national distribution. Foothills of the basins and interfluves of the Shakhimardan and Isfairamsai rivers (Arpalak mountains, Lyangar, Yangi-Say, and Aushir areas, near Lake Kurban-Kol) in the western part of the northern macro-slope of the Alai Range (Kyrgyzstan and the enclave of Uzbekistan) [25, 27, 35]; indication of occurrence in Tajikistan [25] is erroneous.
Habitat. Crevices of steeply inclined and vertical limestone cliffs, predominantly of northeastern exposure, less frequently found at the foot of cliffs; at altitudes of 1050-1500 m above sea level [35].
Population. 20-25 years ago, small populations were known from 5 reliable locations [25], currently the species has survived in at least three of them. The total population is very low, despite the fact that local density in habitats with optimal conditions reaches 15 individuals per a slope area of 10x10 m [35].
Limiting factors. Stenoky, low competitiveness of the species. Small and occupying limited space populations can easily be destroyed by habitat degradation caused by any mining activities, road construction, etc. [35].
Cultivation. Not conducted. Pharmaceutical properties are not studied.
Existing conservation measures. Not developed. The species is listed in the Red Books of the USSR [25], Uzbekistan [27], and Kyrgyzstan [48], but none of the species' locations are situated within existing reserves.
Recommended conservation measures. Organize regular monitoring of population numbers and the intensity of negative factors, search for new populations, introduce (from seeds collected in nature) in the Botanical Garden and nearby protected areas (Chyrandash, Abshirsay), inform the local population and promote the preservation of habitats in their pristine form.
Turkistan fumariola
Microfumitory
Fumariola turkestanica Korsh.
Status: Endangered (EN Blab (iii, iv)), narrow-distributed species, endemic for the north-western part of Alai Mountains, representative of the monotypic genus. This small annual plant is known from only five sites, in the basins of the Shakhimardan and Isfairamsai Rivers and in the area between them (Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan), and inhabits crevices on steep and precipitous limy rocks, at altitudes of 1,050-1,500 m above sea level. Flowering plants are observed from the end of May to June, fruiting in July; vegetative propagation is absent. Limiting factors: small territory of occupancy and distribution, stenoky; small populations can be lost due to any possible biotope disturbance (road construction, etc.). The species is unknown in culture and in territories of existing protected areas, despite being listed in the Red Books of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and the USSR. For the conservation of the species, it is recommended to search for new populations, monitor the number of Microfumitory and the intensity of negative influences, introduce it into the Botanical Garden and in neighboring wildlife areas, and conduct educational work with people about the necessity to preserve the species' area of occupancy.
