Natural Plants of Kyrgyzstan

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.

The desire to be closer to nature can be fulfilled by creating a rocky garden, an alpine slide, or a separate corner of the natural flora of Kyrgyzstan in your yard.

Among the local "wildflowers," there are many interesting species that differ in early flowering, original flower shape or color, and unique leaf structures, which are unusual compared to cultivated flowers.

Many natural flowers can thrive in cultivation. However, to grow them, it is essential to know the vital requirements of the beloved plant. Before digging up a "wildflower" or collecting seeds from it, one should carefully observe the place where it grows and try to create similar conditions. For example, when planting plants from sandy areas in clay soils, sand should be added; for species accustomed to loose fertile soils—peat, decomposed manure, leaf soil; inhabitants of wet places should be planted near a ditch and watered more frequently, etc.

Among the "wildflowers," the spring bulbous species, eremurus, onions, and others are the most interesting for garden and summer cottage plots.

Crocus (Crocus L.). Common name — "snowdrop." This miniature plant, up to 8 cm tall, has funnel-shaped flowers and a tuft of narrow, linear, stiff leaves that elongate after flowering.

It reproduces by corms—bulbils, and seeds. It is grown in the garden like other spring small-bulb plants.

Two species grow in Kyrgyzstan:
C. alatavicus (C. alatavicus Rgl. et Semen.) with white flowers, purple in the middle and at the base, appearing in late February to early March. The corm is spherical, up to 2 cm in diameter, with brown, soft-fibrous tunics. It grows wild in the valleys and foothills of the lower and middle belt of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too, Talas, and Fergana;
C. korolkowii (C. korolkowii Maw et Rgl.) with bright yellow flowers, brownish-purple outside. The corm is elongated-spherical, with membranous tunics.

It blooms a few days later than C. alatavicus. It is found in the western part of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too.

Onion (Allium L.) is represented in Kyrgyzstan by 77 species, many of which can be cultivated. They reproduce by bulbils and seeds (sown in spring and autumn).

The following species are the most interesting:
A. aflatunense (A. aflatunense B. Fedtsch.) — a plant up to 1.5 m tall with a large spherical inflorescence of light purple flowers. The leaves are strap-like, large, bluish-green, up to 50—60 cm long, and nearly half dry out by flowering. The bulb is oval, large, up to 6—8 cm in diameter; the tunics are gray and thin. It blooms from late April for two to three weeks. It grows in high mountain and alpine meadows in Central Tien Shan, along the Fergana, Ugam, and Uzunakhmat ridges;
A. altissimum (A. altissimum Rgl.) — a plant up to 1.2—1.7 m tall. The leaves are strap-like, green, wide, up to 6 cm long, and half dry out by flowering.

The flowers are star-shaped, bright, pinkish-purple, in a large umbrella-like umbel. The bulb is large, with gray, thin tunics. It blooms from mid-May for two to three weeks. It grows wild in the Chuy Valley, in the gorges of the Kyrgyz Ridge, and along the foothills of Alai.

Stonecrop (Sedum L.) is represented in Kyrgyzstan by two annual and three perennial species.

Recommended:
S. hybridum — a perennial that forms a dense low-growing mat. The stems are sprawling, branched, densely leafy, rooting along their entire length. The flowering stems are raised, about 15—25 cm tall. The leaves are succulent, small, serrated at the edges, and wedge-shaped. They are arranged whorled at the ends of the stems. Young leaves overwinter. The inflorescence is a racemose corymb, consisting of small golden star-shaped flowers that appear in May—June.

It is widespread along the Kyrgyz Ridge, in the Issyk-Kul region, Central Tien Shan, and Kemin in rocky and gravelly areas, and crevices of rocks;
S. ewersii has numerous upright stems up to 30 cm tall. The stems at the base are leafless, woody, and reddish. The leaves are bluish-green, fleshy, rounded-oval, and small.

The corymbose inflorescence is formed by small pink flowers. The rhizome is branched and woody. It blooms profusely in July—August. It grows in rocky places on the southern slopes of mountains, along riverbeds, on rocks up to the alpine belt in all regions of the republic. Both species grow well in fertile, well-drained soils with light shade. They are easily propagated by cuttings and division.

Yarrow (Achillea L.). There are four perennial species. These are rhizomatous plants that have a peculiar wormwood scent. Their inflorescences are corymbose and suitable for dry winter bouquets. A. filipendulina (A. filipendulina Lam.) can be planted in a summer cottage in a sunny, poorly irrigated place. It forms tall, sprawling bushes up to 80—100 cm. The stems are sturdy and upright. The leaves are large and finely dissected. The flowers are golden yellow, and the corymbs are large and shallow. The rhizome is woody. It blooms in summer. It reproduces by seeds and division. It is widely distributed in the agricultural zone of the republic in dry places, near rivers.

Tulip (Tulipa L.). In Kyrgyzstan, there are 22 species, almost half of which are protected plants. Wild tulips bloom mainly earlier than cultivated ones, are resistant to diseases, and can remain in one place for several years. They are undemanding and relatively easy to cultivate. They grow in any garden, well-drained soil, but loamy soil is best. The cultivation techniques are generally the same as for garden tulips. Seeds are sown in winter.

Recommended species: T. dasystemon (T. dasystemon Rgl.) - The stem is bare, brownish, bearing two smooth leaves. The flower is solitary, star-shaped, golden yellow, with a dirty burgundy exterior. In cultivation, plants with eight tepals are found. It blooms early—from the beginning of April. It reproduces by bulbils and seeds. It grows wild in forests and higher in the Kyrgyz Ala-Too, in Central Tien Shan, Alai, Kemin, and the Issyk-Kul region;
T. greigii (T. greigii Rgl) — one of the most beautiful tulips. The height of the plant varies, depending on the growing location, from 8—10 to 30—40 cm. The stem is thick, often brownish-purple. The leaves (usually 3) are large, bluish, with dark purple stripes. The flower is solitary, large, and elegantly cup-shaped, often red, sometimes yellow or orange. The bulb is large, with red-brown tunics, hairy inside. It reproduces by seeds. It blooms in the 3rd—4th year after sowing.

Greig's tulip is a legally protected plant. However, a small number of seeds taken from nature will not harm its natural reproduction. Greater harm is done by uprooting the plant during flowering;
T. tarda (T. tarda Stapf.) — a low-growing plant up to 20 cm tall with several star-shaped white flowers with a yellow center. The leaves (several) are shiny, dark green, with a narrow purple edge, clustered at the base of the stem. The bulb is covered with dense red-brown tunics, large in cultivation. It reproduces excellently by bulbils and seeds. It is found on rocky and gravelly slopes of the Northern Tien Shan.

Eremurus, shiryash, kulunchak (Eremurus Bieb.)—a typically Central Asian, very distinctive plant, represented in the republic by 15 species. The stem is leafless, straight, usually solitary. At its base is a rosette of linear leaves, partially drying out by the beginning of flowering. The inflorescence is a spike-like raceme.

The underground part resembles a starfish in shape. The rhizome is short, covered with membranes and fibers. From it, radially extend fleshy, uniformly or spindle-shaped thickened roots. They reproduce by seeds, which are sown in winter, rarely vegetatively. They prefer sunny places and well-drained soils. After the above-ground part dries out, watering is not required.

The following species are recommended:
E. fuscus (E. fuscus (O. Fedtsch.) Wed.) The height of the flower stalk is 70—100 cm. The inflorescence is dense, with flowers that are initially light yellow, then turn brown. The leaves are broad, up to 50 cm long. It blooms in May for 2—3 weeks and dries out in June.

It is found everywhere in the typical steppes of the middle belt of the mountains;
E. robustus (E. robustus Rgl.) — one of the most spectacular Kyrgyz eremurus. The flower stalk reaches 1.5—2 m. The raceme is long, up to 80 cm, consisting of a large number of pinkish-white flowers. The leaves are broad, bluish-green, up to 50—70 cm long. It blooms in May for 2—3 weeks. It flowers from seeds in the 5th—8th year of life. In nature, it grows in the Kyrgyz Ala-Too, in Central Tien Shan, Alai, Fergana in the middle belt of the mountains on fine soil sections;
E. tianschanicus (E. tianschanicus Pazij et Vved.). The flower stalk reaches a height of 1.5—1.8 m. The leaves are narrow, bluish-green, up to 50 cm long. The raceme is narrowly cylindrical, long, and multi-flowered, with white flowers. It blooms in June. It is found in the steppes from the foothills to the middle belt of the mountains along the Kyrgyz Ridge, in Chatkal, Fergana, and Alai.

Violet (Viola L.). In Kyrgyzstan, 16 perennial and 1 annual species grow wild. In the groves of Frunze city, in the Chuy Valley, and in the forests on the northern slope of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too, V. suavis Bieb. — an attractive plant that blooms in March—April. The stems are thin, creeping, and long, rooting at the nodes. The rhizome is short and thick. The leaves are heart-shaped-oval, dark green. The flowers are light purple and fragrant.

They reproduce by division of the shoots.

Roses. Rhizomatous perennials wintering in the soil of Kyrgyzstan