Middle Asian Pear
Status: EN. The species is little-known and narrowly localized, endemic to the Western Tien Shan. The taxonomic position of the species is debatable. It is of great importance for breeding and developing resistant varieties of pears that are immune to fungal diseases and damage from fruit flies in high-yielding southern varieties.
Description. A tree up to 12-16 m tall with a sprawling crown. The branches are thick and thornless. The leaves are oval, coarsely serrated at the edges, on long bare petioles; the fruits are pear-shaped, with a truncated-rounded top, greenish-yellow. The flesh is firm and juicy.
Biological features. It belongs to the group of East Asian pears or their hybrids, characterized by mesophytic conditions, a short dormancy period, low winter hardiness, and high resistance to fungal diseases. It reproduces by seeds and root suckers. It blooms in April-May and bears fruit in September-October.
Distribution in general and in the country. It is found singly in the Chatkal, Pskem, and Uzun-Akhmat mountain ranges, near former old settlements.
Habitat. It grows on alluvial soils along river valleys in the apple-walnut forest zone, at altitudes up to 1200 m.
Population. It is found singly.
Limiting factors. Cutting of fruit-bearing plants. Lack of seed regeneration.
Cultivation. Single specimens are cultivated in villages on the Chatkal and Uzun-Akhmat ranges (Tegene area). It has been introduced to the Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic from the Tegene area. It winters without damage.
Existing conservation measures. It has been protected in the republic since 1975 in accordance with a resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Kyrgyz SSR. It is listed in the Red Books of the USSR (1975), the Uzbek SSR (1984), and the Kyrgyz SSR (1985).
Recommended conservation measures. Establish strict control over the population and condition of the species. Create a nature reserve in its habitat.
Orto Asia almuруtu
Middle Asian Pear
Pyrus asiae-mediae (M. Pop). Maleev
Status: EN. It is a little-known species with a narrow distribution and debatable taxonomic rank, endemic to the West Tien Shan. Single individuals have been reported in the Chatkal, Pskem, and Uzun-Akhmat Mountain Ranges near old settlements, in the zone of apple-walnut forest, in flood-lands on alluvial soils, up to 1,200 m above sea level. The flowering period is April - May, with fruiting occurring in September - October; reproduction occurs both generatively (by seeds) and vegetatively (by root layers). This species is a valuable element of the genetic fund for the selection of pear cultivars; it is cultivated in several villages and in the Bishkek Botanical Garden. Only one population of uncertain origin in the Pskem River valley is known for certain. Limiting factors include tree felling and the absence of generative reproduction. It is necessary to estimate the population size and area, organize monitoring of the population, and create a botanical wildlife area in its habitat.
