Natural Flowers in Kyrgyzstan Every year, the number of true nature enthusiasts increases, who cherish both the humble steppe flower and the plants of alpine and subalpine meadows with their bright and colorful blooms. Spring plants attract special attention.
Roses Roses belong to the group of ornamental shrubs, and therefore they differ significantly from herbaceous perennials in terms of reproduction methods and cultivation technology. In landscaping, both wild species of roses with non-double flowers (wild roses) and garden varieties are used.
Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia L.). It grows wild in North America and Mexico, where up to 30 species can be found. It is a hardy and unpretentious plant. The stem is simple or branched. The inflorescence consists of baskets. The flowers are simple or double, with a diameter of up to 15 cm. The marginal flowers are yellow, brown, or purple. It reproduces by seeds and division of clumps.
Peony (Paeonia L.) One of the most popular and beautiful flowering plants. There are 15 species of peonies known in nature, one of which is the intermedia, commonly referred to as "Maryin root," found in the mountainous regions of our republic. The most widely cultivated varieties are those obtained from the Chinese peony through multiple hybridizations. Peony is a winter-hardy plant (it winters well without shelter in our conditions), and it is very demanding of light, so it is best
May Lily (Convallaria majalis L.). Has long been used in decorative gardening. Beautiful not only are the fragrant bell-shaped white flowers, but also the green elongated-elliptical leaves, creating a uniform dark green carpet up to 20 cm high in places where sunlight does not penetrate or barely penetrates. There are varieties with pink and blue flowers.
Daylily, Hemerocallis (Hemerocallis L.). In nature, it is found on the edges of forests, among shrubs, near water bodies. In the wild, it is distributed in the Far East, Eastern Siberia, China, and Japan. The plant is rhizomatous, with some species having thickened, spindle-shaped roots. The leaves are basal, sessile, linear, straight, or arching. The flower stalks rise above the leaves, sturdy, 50—100 cm tall, ending in a clustered or spreading inflorescence. The flowers, in groups of 2—8,
Incarvillea (Incarvillea Juss.). Grows wild in China. The roots are turnip-shaped, fleshy, with rosette leaves that are pinnately dissected and on long petioles. The flowers are funnel-shaped, carmine-pink, orange-yellow, and pink-lilac, gathered in loose inflorescences. It grows well in nutrient-rich soils and open sunny places. Two species are particularly interesting: I. Delavayi (I. Delavayi Bur. et Franch.) reaches a height of up to 70 cm, with carmine-pink flowers and a yellow throat;
Bergenia (Bergenia Moench). The plant retains its foliage year-round. It prefers semi-shaded or shaded areas, light nutritious soil, and is moisture-loving. The most common variety in cultivation is B. crassifolia. The leaves are rosette-shaped, leathery, shiny, and decorative. In spring, the bushes are adorned with bright pink flowers gathered in corymbs, located on leafless stems. It blooms from early April for 35-40 days. It is propagated by division of rhizomes and seeds. Division is done
Perennials — flowering plants that grow in one place and maintain their decorative appeal for several years. Ornamental gardening offers a vast assortment of flowering and decorative perennial plants.
Bulbous and tuberous plants wintering in the ground. This group includes most of the beautiful flowering early spring and spring plants. They are mainly used for decorating flower beds, borders, lawns, alpine slides, and water bodies. They are good for forcing and cutting. Hyacinth (Hyacinthus^ L.). A perennial early spring bulbous plant. The eastern hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis L.) and its numerous varieties are widely cultivated.
Perennials This group includes plants (dahlias, gladioluses, cannas, montbretia, tuberose) that, due to their biological characteristics, cannot withstand even slight low temperatures. Therefore, their underground parts are dug up in the fall and transferred to special storage facilities, basements, or greenhouses, where optimal conditions for normal wintering are created. Dahlia variabilis, Dahlia (Dahlia Cav.). Native to Mexico and Guatemala. Due to its high decorative value and relatively
Annuals and Biennials for Flower Beds in Kyrgyzstan Annuals, or as they are commonly called in floriculture, summer flowers, are flowering plants whose entire life cycle occurs during the growing season. This group also includes perennial plants of tropical origin (snapdragon, petunia, verbena) that are grown in our conditions as annuals. In terms of decorative properties, annuals are very diverse. Some bloom for a long time and abundantly, while others have bright or variegated leaves. They
Floral and Decorative Design People have been fascinated by flowers since ancient times. It is now hard to imagine large and small cities, worker settlements, and collective farm estates without green embellishments. Flowers accompany humans throughout their lives, bringing joy during holidays and everyday life, providing true aesthetic pleasure, softening life's failures, and uplifting spirits. Recently, the passion for floriculture has become a widespread phenomenon.
MEDICINAL PLANTS Medicinal substances of plant origin play a significant role in the creation of effective medicinal preparations. Currently, more than 50% of medicinal products are made from plants. Over 1500 species of medicinal plants grow in the territory of the Soviet Union. However, only 200-300 species are used for the production of various medicinal preparations. Every year, about 30,000 tons of medicinal raw materials are harvested in our country.
FORAGE PLANTS Forage plants constitute the most numerous and important group of useful plants in Kyrgyzstan, as the main sector of the republic's economy—animal husbandry—primarily relies on natural forage lands, where forage plants are concentrated. More than 630 species of forage plants grow in Kyrgyzstan, accounting for one-fifth of all forage plants in the country. However, not all of them have been accounted for and studied. With a deeper and more thorough study of the flora of
FIBROUS PLANTS The most valuable fibrous plants in Kyrgyzstan are cultivated species — cotton, flax, kenaf, hemp, and others. As for wild fibrous plants, they are extremely rare in nature and produce fibers of rather low quality. The fibers of wild species are mainly used for weaving baskets, bags, ropes, twine, and burlap. Sometimes they are woven into mats (berdanas), hats, and other household items. Weaving is primarily done by private entrepreneurs. For weaving, reeds, bulrush, and other
DECORATIVE PLANTS The role of decorative plants in nature and human life is well-known. They beautify our squares, gardens, parks, streets, and homes, evoking positive emotions. Decorative plants are widely used for various celebrations. Many of them (fir, pine, juniper, walnut, bird cherry) release phytoncides and help purify the atmosphere of pathogenic bacteria. Plants such as false acacia (Robinia), gleditsia, linden, and others are also excellent honey plants. Decorative trees and shrubs
DYEING PLANTS Many plants in Kyrgyzstan contain dyeing substances. There are more than 80 species of such plants. However, dyeing plants have practically lost their significance today. Synthetic dyes are now used more widely. Only for the production of lipsticks and in confectionery factories are plant-based dyes used. Nevertheless, many residents of Kyrgyzstan still deal with plant-based dyes. Therefore, we will briefly characterize some dyeing plants of the republic below. Common Thistle. An
RESINOUS PLANTS One of the interesting and little-studied groups of useful plants in Kyrgyzstan is the group of resinous plants. “Resinous plants are those plants that are characterized by the presence of resins or balsams in them.” The term “resin” refers to various substances: turpentine (gum resins), rosin, Canadian balsam, amber, sandarac, damar, copal, akaroid, styrax, incense, mastic, gum gut, lactucarium, and others.
INSECTICIDAL AND RODENTICIDAL PLANTS “This group includes plants that produce toxins for combating insects and other pests of agricultural crops, parasites of animals and humans, and finally, rodents” (Shalit M. S.). In the flora of Kyrgyzstan, there are many insecticidal and rodenticidal plants. However, they are rarely used for combating insect pests, animal parasites, and rodents, with few exceptions.
TANNING PLANTS Despite the current rapid development of chemistry and the creation of many synthetic substances that replace plant-derived materials, the tanning substances of plants still hold immense significance. This is true not only in the tanning-extractive industry but also in medicine and veterinary science. The demand for tannins in the USSR is high. With more detailed studies of tanning plants, their role does not diminish; on the contrary, it increases.
SAPONIN-CONTAINING PLANTS Among the many useful plants of Kyrgyzstan, there are those that contain saponins. Currently, saponins are widely used in various industries, medicine, and veterinary medicine. The demand for saponins in the USSR is increasing year by year — they are necessary for both domestic needs and foreign trade. Therefore, the identification and study of saponin-containing plants is becoming particularly important at this time.
ESSENTIAL OIL PLANTS Despite the sharp increase in the production of synthetic fragrant substances widely used in various industries in recent years, natural essential oils have not lost their significance. They are still widely used in perfumery, medicine, food, and flavoring industries. A particularly large amount of natural essential oils is consumed in the production of toothpaste, tooth powder, powder, cologne, perfumes, and other similar products.
PHYTOCIDAL PLANTS Phytocidal plants are those that release special substances that are harmful to various bacteria, rust and mold fungi, and protozoa. Some phytocides can kill horseflies, flies, ticks, and other insects. A number of phytocides destroy the pathogens of dysentery, typhoid fever, paratyphoid, and others. As is known, the founder and creator of the doctrine of phytocides is the great Russian scientist, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Boris Petrovich Tokin. In his
Honey Plants and Pollen Sources of Deserts, Semi-Deserts, and Steppes In the zone of deserts, semi-deserts, and steppes, there are also many honey and pollen plants. However, the main ones are: psoralea, camel thorn, eremurus, Dzhungarian clematis, ziziphora, peacock poppy, silver chingil, Alatau saffron, Kolpakovsky iris, and sickle-leaved alfalfa, St. John's wort. Psoralea, known in Kyrgyz as akkurai, from the Legume family. It is often found in deserts, semi-deserts, and dry steppes,
Honey Plants of the Forests, Meadows, and Shrub Thickets Shrubs play a significant role, especially rose hips, caragana, meadowsweet, honeysuckle, barberry, sea buckthorn, and others, as well as tree species such as rowan, bird cherry, hawthorn, and birch. Common Sage, from the Lamiaceae family. Commonly found in southern Kyrgyzstan, especially in the nut-fruit forest belt on meadow-steppe slopes. In some places, it forms dense thickets, making up more than 50% of the herbaceous layer. A
Honey Plants of Forests, Meadows, and Shrub Thickets The honey flora in the forests, meadows, and among the shrubs is particularly rich and diverse. Among them, wild fruit and berry plants play a significant role as honey plants: wild apple, pear, plum, cherry, currant, raspberry, almond, and others. These plants have a large share in the zone of nut-bearing forests, where they are mainly distributed. Additionally, the forest zone is rich in meadow honey plants, which include: oregano,
Decorative Honey Plants and Perganos Among the tree plantations in the agricultural zone, there are many honey plants and pergano plants. The most valuable are: white "false acacia," linden, gleditsia, yellow "acacia," elm, poplar, willow, maple, walnut, and others. Robinia pseudoacacia, from the Fabaceae family. It is cultivated in street plantings in cities and towns of Kyrgyzstan, as well as along roads, in forest protective strips, in groves, parks, gardens, and
GUTTA-PERCHA PLANTS As is known, gutta-percha, or gutta, is the milky sap of gutta-percha plants. It easily coagulates in the air and turns into soft, raw gutta-percha. Gutta-percha is widely used in various industries. Gutta is a substance that is similar in its technical properties to rubber. However, it also possesses extraordinary plasticity. When heated to 90°C, it becomes so pliable that it can be molded into any shape, which, upon cooling, does not deform and retains its qualities.
Honey-bearing Fruit Trees and Berry Bushes Fruit trees and berry bushes hold special value among honey-bearing plants in the agricultural zone. Particularly — apple, pear, cherry, almond, raspberry, and others. Domestic Apple, in Kyrgyz: alma, from the Rosaceae family. A tree with oval-egg-shaped leaves. Flowers are pink or white. Blooms from late April to June. Produces nectar and pollen. Widely cultivated in the agricultural zone across all regions of Kyrgyzstan, except for high mountains.
Melon Honey Plants Melon plants are of great importance as honey plants, especially pumpkin, cucumber, melon, and watermelon. Common Pumpkin, from the Gourd Family.
HONEY PLANTS A significant support in the implementation of the Food Program comes from products obtained from honey plants. In recent years, beekeeping has become one of the most important sectors of agriculture.
STARCH-BEARING PLANTS Among the numerous wild plants of Kyrgyzstan, there are also starch-bearing ones. They grow in deserts, steppes, meadows, and swamps. In the deserts and steppes, an interesting starch-bearing plant is the yeremurus or shiryash. Yeremurus. Many species of yeremurus grow in Kyrgyzstan, but the Tien Shan yeremurus and the burnt yeremurus stand out as starch-bearing. Both species are found on small gravelly slopes alongside other steppe plants. Starch accumulates in their
INULIN-BEARING PLANTS A number of plants containing inulin— a substance that converts to sugar under the influence of acids— can be found in Kyrgyzstan. Inulin-bearing plants include: chicory, large-leaved butterbur, dandelion, Elecampane, burdock, some species of wormwood, onion, and others. Chicory. It is the most valuable inulin-bearing plant. This perennial plant (from the Asteraceae family) can reach up to 100 cm in height. The stems are highly branched. The leaves are finely divided and
SUGAR-BEARING PLANTS In Kyrgyzstan, there are no wild sugar-bearing plants from which sugar is directly extracted. However, the natural flora of the republic includes species that contain sugar, albeit in small amounts. Sugar beet. Among cultivated plants, it is the most important sugar-bearing plant. It has been cultivated for a long time, primarily in the Chui Valley, specifically for sugar production. Previously, it contained 23% sugar and had a high yield. The Hero of Socialist Labor
OILSEED PLANTS The most valuable oilseed plant is the arugula (wild rocket). This biennial plant reaches up to 50 cm in height, has bright yellow flowers, and feathery, divided basal leaves. The seeds of arugula contain fatty oil. During the war years, this oil was extracted privately. Currently, oil from arugula is unfortunately almost not produced, although it is tasty and fragrant. Arugula grows in fields, meadows, near irrigation ditches, and streams throughout all regions of Kyrgyzstan.
FOOD AND VITAMIN-BEARING PLANTS Cultural food and vitamin-bearing plants cultivated in Kyrgyzstan are well-known. They are sufficiently described in specialized literature, and therefore the main focus below will be on wild useful plants. The natural flora of Kyrgyzstan contains many wild food and vitamin-bearing plants. A particularly large number of them can be found in the South, in the belt of nut-fruit forests, where wild apples, pears, cherries, currants, raspberries, apricots, walnuts,
Groups of Useful Plant Species in Kyrgyzstan Currently, useful substances have been found not only in flowering plants but also in spore plants. According to S. Ya. Shostakovsky, simpler carbohydrates, proteins, resins, and wax are present in mosses, alkaloids in clubmosses, and toxic substances in algae; seed ferns contain oils, and lichens have lichen acids used in medicine. The study of spore-bearing higher plants, as well as algae, fungi, and lichens, will undoubtedly increase the number
50% of the Flora of Kyrgyzstan Consists of the Largest Number of Useful Species Analyzing the distribution of useful species across families, we observe an interesting picture. Out of 115 families found in Kyrgyzstan, only 18 contain a more or less significant number of useful species (896). These same 18 families, in terms of the number of species (1720), make up almost 50% of the flora of Kyrgyzstan. Therefore, the families that are represented in Kyrgyzstan by numerous species also contain
The flora of Kyrgyzstan is remarkable for its many endemics When discussing the flora of the republic, it is important to note one feature. Of the 3786 species of flowering plants, only 215 are edifying dominants. They often make up 80-90% of the herbaceous and tree cover.
The flora of Kyrgyzstan is rich and diverse. It is the sole source of plant raw materials for medicine, many sectors of agriculture, and industry. Therefore, the rational use of plant resources is one of the main problems of modern biology. As mentioned above, on the territory of Kyrgyzstan, which covers an area of 198,000 km², there are 3,786 species of higher flowering plants alone, not counting mosses, lichens, algae, fungi, and other plants that also contain useful substances. All this
Diversity of Flora in Kyrgyzstan Introduction This work contains a brief description of useful plants in Kyrgyzstan, with a primary focus on wild species.
The foundations of the herding system for livestock grazing, widely recommended by modern botany, were established and used by the Kyrgyz for a long time. They had a good understanding of the qualities of pasture grasses and their usefulness for livestock. For example, regarding sedge grass, the Kyrgyz said: "Until a horse grazes on sedge pastures, it does not gain fat."
In translation from Kyrgyz, "jailoo" means summer pasture. What else do you think this word signifies? Abundance. And this is not accidental. The wealth and beauty of alpine meadows cannot be called anything else.
Let’s open the reference books on medicinal plants. St. John's wort, mint, thyme, valerian, motherwort, hawthorn, rosehip, coltsfoot, oregano, plantain, juniper, birch, cornflower, chamomile... This entire list is generously represented in Kyrgyzstan.
Much larger areas than deserts and semi-deserts are occupied by steppes in Kyrgyzstan, which are classified based on altitude above sea level into low-mountain (1000—1600 meters), mid-mountain (1600—2500), and high-mountain (up to 3500 meters). In terms of vegetation composition, they are divided into grass-like and savanna-like.
The very word seems to suggest: empty, hence the desert. In Kyrgyz, it is approximately: чёль (chol). Moreover, this term is used not only for deserts but also for steppes, plains, that is, everything that is not mountains — тоо (too), and not lakes — кёль (köl).
Who hasn’t heard of juniper? Or cedar? Or cypress? Evergreens — in the literal sense of the word: eternal, not metaphorical — possessing a "balsamic" scent, particularly noticeable since ancient times. According to scientists, they have been known since the Cretaceous period, meaning they are over one hundred million (!) years old, at least in the case of cedar. The branches of these plants line the path of the deceased — as a symbol of death and its overcoming, as a symbol of the