Popovnik (Chamomile) Edelweiss-like / Ak Mandaydai Pyrethrum / Edelweiss-like Pyrethrum

Edelweiss-like Pyrethrum

Status: VU. Endemic species.

Description. A perennial plant about 3 - 15 cm tall. Leaves are whitish due to very dense wool, with their outlines barely visible, having inconspicuous glandular dots. Basal leaves up to 4 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, on long petioles that are widened at the base; their blades are elongated or inversely oval in shape, twice (sometimes almost three times) pinnately dissected; terminal lobes are linear-lanceolate to elongated, up to 1 mm wide, with a short point or without it at the tip. Stem leaves are greatly reduced and less dissected, sessile. Flowers are collected in a flower head - a basket. The baskets are solitary, on long, abundantly white-woolly peduncles. The involucres are 10 - 20 mm in diameter, 5.5-6 mm wide, covered with abundant loose wool. The ray flowers are white.

Biological features. Flowers in July - August, fruits in August - September.

General distribution and in the country. Tarbagatai, Dzhungar Alatau, Tien Shan, Pamir-Alai. In Kyrgyzstan - Kungei, Terskei Ala-Too, Fergana, Kyrgyz Ranges, mountains in the basins of the Sary-Jaz and Kainy rivers.

Habitat. On pebbles along river valleys, among stones and gravel, on moraines, rocky slopes, and screes in the upper mountain belt.

Population. Minor populations.

Limiting factors. Livestock grazing, flower collection.

Cultivation. No information available.

Existing conservation measures. Not protected.

Recommended conservation measures. Preservation of habitats, monitoring of population numbers, prohibition of flower collection.

Ak mандaйдай пиретрум

Edelweiss-like Pyrethrum
Pyrethrum leontopodium (C. Winkl.) Tzvel.
Status: VU. This small perennial plant is a rare mosaic-distributed species found in the Alai-Pamir, Tien Shan, Dzhungar, and Tarbagatai Mountain Ranges. In Kyrgyzstan, it is known from the Alexander, Kungei Ala-Too, Terskei Ala-Too, and Fergana Mountain Ranges, as well as the Sary-Dzhaz River basin. The species inhabits screes, rocky and stony slopes, pebbles in riverbeds, and moraines in the altimountainous zone. The flowering period is July - August, with fruiting occurring in August - September. All identified populations are insignificant in number. There is no data on cultivation or any protective measures. Conservation recommendations include habitat protection, population monitoring, and prohibition of flower collection.