Tianshan Umbrella Bearer / Chatyr-Chal Tianshan / Tianschaniella
Tianschaniella umbellifera
Status: VU. A significantly declining narrowly endemic species of Central Tien-Shan. A representative of a monotypic genus.
Description. Perennial. The root is thin and vertical. The stems are weak, ascending, 30 - 40 cm tall, thin, simple or branched, glabrous or slightly pubescent. The rosettes of basal leaves consist of 6 - 10 elongated leaflets, sparsely bristly. The stem leaves are alternate, pressed and gray-pubescent. The inflorescence is racemose, consisting of individual cymose inflorescences forming false umbels. The flowers are on thin, long pedicels, arranged in clusters like an umbrella. The calyx is gray-pubescent. The corolla is blue, whitish, with a short tube about 1 mm long, and the throat has ridges, the tips of which are thickened and papillate. The fruits are achenes, four in number, attached by the ventral side to a short gynophore, with winged edges and anchor-like spines. A distinctive monotypic genus with umbrella-like flowers.
Biological features. Blooms in VII—VIII; fruits in VIII-IX. Reproduction is by seeds.
Distribution general and in the country. Kyrgyzstan: Central Tien-Shan (the outskirts of Issyk-Kul region, southern macro-slope of Terskey Ala-Too, Torugart Ridge, around Lake Chatyr-Kel).
Habitat. Rocky, shallow, silty soils along riverbanks and gorges, in the upper mountain belt.
Population. Within its range, it appears to grow as solitary specimens or in small groups.
Limiting factors. Habitat disturbance due to uncontrolled livestock grazing.
Cultivation. No information available.
Existing conservation measures. Included in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz SSR (1985).
Recommended conservation measures. Study the range and status of populations. In areas of highest concentration of the species, establish a botanical reserve.
Chatyrchaluu Tianshanchik
Tianschaniella
Tianschaniella umbellifera B. Fedtsch.ex M. Pop
Status: VU. It is a rare mosaic-distributed perennial plant, endemic to Inner and Central Tien-Shan. In Kyrgyzstan, it is known from only a few sites: the area near Chatyr-Kul Lake, Torugart-Too, Ak-Shyirak-Eastern, and Terskei Ala-Too (Ottuk Ravine in the southeastern part). The species sporadically populates meager silty-soil places, at rocky riverbanks and in rocky gorges. Period of flowering: June - July, fruiting in September; propagation is generative (by seeds). The species is unknown in cultivation, and its number in nature is insignificant. Limiting factors: destruction of habitats caused by excessive cattle pasturage. This plant is still without any special protection despite being included in the Red Book of the country in 1985. It is necessary to continue studying its distribution and ecology and to create a botanical wildlife area for the conservation of the species.
