Checklist of the flora of the vicinity of Balakliya (Kharkiv region, Ukraine): native and alien taxa, distribution of rare plants, new findings

For the first time, information on the flora of the Siverskyi Donets basin in the vicinity of Balakliya town (Kharkiv region of Ukraine) was summarized based on the comprehensive analysis of published data, herbarium material, and own field examinations. Field surveys were conducted during September 2015 and March-July 2016. The surveyed areas were located mainly in the valleys of the Sіverskyi Donets river and some of its tributaries within the former Balakliуa district. The conspectus of flora comprising 933 taxa of vascular plants (including 798 recorded during field surveys) has been prepared. In particular, 739 taxa of native and 194 taxa of alien plants were recorded. The habitats of 14 species from the Red Book of Ukraine were found. The locations of other protected, uncommon and new for the flora of the region plant species were also identified. Several taxa (i.e., some of the calciphytes like Astragalus albicaulis, Linum czernjajevii, Odontarrhena tortuosa subsp. cretacea, Scutellaria supina, and Silene supina) were found out of their previously known ranges. Newly established locations of some other species (e.g., Ephedra distachya, Onosma simplicissima, and Ornithogalum boucheanum) significantly complement previously known chorological data. Finally, information about new findings of such alien taxa actively expanding new areas as Cornus sanguinea subsp. australis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Sedum sexangulare, Ulmus pumila, and Vitis vulpina is provided.It has been established that the flora of the Siverskyi Donets basin in the vicinity of Balakliya town is a rich natural center of phytodiversity being under active adventisation. Forest reclamation plantations play a significant role in spreading the alien plants. Railway and the pine terrace of the Siverskyi Donets also serve the migration corridors for many of such alien plants.

Syntaxonomical analysis of sandy grassland vegetation dominated by Festuca vaginata and F. pseudovaginata in the Pannonian basin

Festucetum vaginatae Rapaics ex Soó 1929 em. Borhidi 1996 is a characteristic association of the calcareous sandy areas of the Pannonian basin; its dominant grass species is Festuca vaginata. Another typical species of these sandy areas is the newly discovered F. pseudovaginata. The question is whether F. pseudovaginata forms an independent coenotaxa? Our study proved that F. vaginata and F. pseudovaginata populations grow separately and compose different associations. Stands dominated by F. pseudovaginata had a higher species richness and harboured twice as many Festuco-Brometea species compared to the Festucetum vaginatae stands. Diagnostic species of the Festucetum pseudovaginatae association are Festuca pseudovaginata, Colchicum arenarium, Ephedra distachya, Koeleria majoriflora, and Astragalus onobrychis. The number of species, the density of the individuals, and the variability and diversity of the vegetation separated it from the Festucetum vaginatae association; thus, it can be considered an independent endemic association. Festucetum pseudovaginatae has its own differentiating and dominant species: Carex stenophylla, Cynodon dactylon, Eryngium campestre, Kochia laniflora.

Assessment of the state of populations of protected plants species in Russko-Polyansky municipal district of Omsk region

The results of monitoring the populations of protected plant species of the Omsk region in the territories of Russko-Polyansky municipal district are presented. During the research 210 cenopopulations of 32 of protected plants species were found in total. The locations of 20 protected species at the regional level were identified at the studied district for the first time: Adonis villosa, A. volgensis, Allium clathratum, Alyssum lenense, Astragalus buchtormensis, A. stenoceras, Dianthus ramosissimus, Ephedra distachya, Fritillaria meleagroides, Hedysarum gmelinii, Iris halophila, I. humilis, Linum perenne, Orostachys spinosa, Puccinellia gigantea, Ranunculus polyrhizos, Stipa lessingiana, Tanacetum millefolium, Tulipa patens, Valeriana tuberose. Two species (Stipa pennata, S. zalesskii) have considered as federal protected objects. Three sites were identified where the maximum number of protected species in natural habitats is concentrated, one of them has now received the status of a specially protected natural area of local and regional significance.

An Overview of the Various Uses of Ephedra distachyaL. from the Past to the Present

Background: Nowadays, many people believe in traditional medicines and use them for different diseases. Knowledge of medicinal plants and traditional medicine has been practiced for centuries through trial and error, and many important treatments for the disease have been passed down from one generation to the next. Ephedra is a valuable plant and has been used to treat diseases since ancient times. Accordingly, this study aims to comprehensively introduce Ephedra distachya L. in traditional medicine. Methods: In this review study, databases such as Google Scholar, SID, Scopus, and books on medicinal plants in Persian and English languages were searched to collect data. The keywords included "ephedra", "traditional medicine", "goat’s beard", and "medicinal plants". Results: Many resources highlighted the importance of using ephedra due to its useful properties. Experimental studies in traditional medicine show the effect of this plant in the prevention of diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis. Conclusion: Considering the beneficial effects of ephedra and scientific evidence about its effects, further studies are needed to better understand the use of this plant in traditional medicine.

Regarding Some Mistakes in the list of “Vascular Plants of Chernye Zemli and Manych Area”

Цель: статья посвящена данным о некоторых ошибках, допущенных в работе А. В. Куваева, Б. С. Убушаева, Н. Ю. Степановой «Сосудистые растения Черных земель и Приманычья», опубликованной в 2010 г. Материалы и методы: материалом послужили гербарные сборы авторов, которые были повторно изучены. Определение было подтверждено в ходе сравнения с образцами в крупных гербарных фондах — MW, MHA LE. Результаты и выводы: в результате уточнения определения гербарных сборов было установлено, что 10 видов были ошибочно указаны для заповедника: Ephedra distachya, Allium sativum, A. sphaerocephalon, Cerastium balearicum, C. holosteoides, Heracleum sibiricum, Peucedanum ruthenicum, Artemisia nitrosa, Centaurea pseudophrygia, Scorzonera stricta. Однако вероятно нахождение на территории Ephedra distachya.

ОСНОВНЫЕ РАСТИТЕЛЬНЫЕ ГРУППИРОВКИ ПЕТРОФИТНЫХ СТЕПЕЙ СОКСКО-КИНЕЛЬСКОГО МЕЖДУРЕЧЬЯ (ВОЛЖСКИЙ БАССЕЙН, САМАРСКАЯ ОБЛАСТЬ)

В статье приведены сведения об основных типах растительных группировок петрофитных степей Сокско-Кинельского междуречья (Среднее Поволжье) – этофитоценозы Stipalessingiana – Hedysarum grandi florum, Неdysarumrazoumovianum, Stipalessingiana - Thymusserpyllum, Stipalessingiana - Crinitariavillosa. Петрофитные степи региона весьма уязвимы и требуют охраны. Изучено состояние природной популяции Ephedra distachya L.

Ypsolopha admirandella sp. n. (Lepidoptera: Ypsolophidae), a new European species from the steppes of Russia

A new species, Ypsolopha admirandella sp. nov., is described from clay-steppes of the Ulyanovsk Region (European Russia). The holotype of the new species is deposited in the collection of the Samara State University. The new species is associated with Ephedra distachya. The holotype and its genitalia, in addition those of the closely related Y. colleaguella Baraniak, 2007 are illustrated.

Vegetation of the natural monument «Gurev Ravine» (Shigonsky District of the Samara Region)

The nature monument of regional value Gurev ravine is located 1 km North-West village Klimovka of Shigonsky District in the Samara Region. The southern and South-Western part is occupied by the ravine, the mouth opening in the Kuibyshev reservoir. The right slope is less steep and is overgrown with deciduous forest, and the left slope is very steep and heavily nude, known as Gusikha mountain. At the mouth of the ravine as well as along the indigenous coast landslide terraces have been formed. We have described calciphyte flora and vegetation of the left slope, Guriev ravine (Gusikha mountain). We have made 5 descriptions, one (description № 14) is located at the bottom of this mountain and the other ones are at the top (descriptions № 15-18). All descriptions are made on very steep slopes (angle of 40-50) of South-Eastern exposure. The described area is dominated by subshrub vegetation with dominance of different species: Artemisia salsoloides (from 1,0 to 30,0%), Ephedra distachya (from 0 to 30,0%), Bassia prostrata (from 0 to 15,0%), Thymus dubjanskyi (from 0 to 15,0%), Onosma volgensis (from 0 to 15,0%), Anthemis trotzkiana (from 0 to 5,0%); less common Linum uralense (from 0 to 1,0%). Artemisia salsoloides (descriptions № 14, 16) occupy the lower and middle parts of the steep slopes of Gusikha mountain. They belong to two different associations. At the bottom of the slopes there are Artemisia salsoloides + Bassia prostrata + Gypsophila juzepczukii , in the middle - Artemisia salsoloides + Onosma volgensis . At the top of steep slopes there are Bassia prostrata , Ephedra distachya and Thymus dubjanskyi (descriptions № 15, 17, 18): Bassia prostrata + Artemisia salsoloides + Stipa capillata , Ephedra distachya + Artemisia salsoloides + Bassia prostrate and Thymus dubjanskyi + Anthemis trotzkiana + Gypsophila juzepczukii Association. Different types of Stipa capillata gradually implemented into the community as well as Gypsophila juzepczukii or Artemisia salsoloides , Anthemis trotzkiana , which contributes to the resumption of these particularly rare for the Samara Region species.

Taxonomic analysis of saline habitats flora of the Southern Urals

The paper presents a taxonomic analysis of saline habitats flora of the southern Urals. The authors have established vegetation of 317 types of glycophytic and halophytic higher plants belonging to 172 genera and 44 families on the saline soils of the southern Urals (including adjacent territories). The number of halophytic species in the studied area is low and estimated at 59 or 18,6% of the total number of species. Among them are representatives of the genus Limonium, of the family Chenopodiaceae - Halimione verrucifera , Salicorna perennans , Suaeda acuminata , S. corniculata , S. prostrata ; family Asteraceae - Artemisia lerchiana , A. nitrosa , Cirsium esculentum , family Poaceae - Hordeum brevisubulatum , Puccinellia distans , etc. The vast majority of flora - 316 species (99,9%) - belong to the division Magnoliophyta, 251 species (79,4%) are Magnoliopsida members and 65 (20,6%) are registered in the class Liliopsida. The ratio of monocots and dicots is expressed in a proportion of 1: 3,8. The largest families in saline soils flora of the southern Urals are: Asteraceae, Poaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Fabaceae, Cyperaceae, Apiaceae, Rosaceae. Caryophyllaceae, Lamiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Polygonaceae, Ranunculaceae number of species from 57 to 9, in total 247 species. There is a clear predominance of the hemicryptophytes - 232, 19 geoview, 11 - geloview, biennials - 9; one - biennials - 4, tirefits - 56, hamiphites - 19, nano phanerophytes - 5, - 1 phanerophytes. In halophytic communities on salted soils that form complexes with glycophyte ones 4 of relict and endemic species Koeleria sclerophylla , Glycyrrhiza korshinskyi , Nanophyton erinaceum , Ephedra distachya meet, 27 are in need of protection, including 4 halophyt ( Frankenia hirsuta , Limonium bellidifolium , L. macrorhizon , L. suffruticosum ).

Structure features of Artemisia salsoloides Willd. (Asteraceae) coenotic populations in the Samara Region

Artemisia salsoloides Willd. (Asteraceae) is included in the Red Books of Russia and various regions, including the Samara Region. It is characterized by a narrow confinement to the ecological and phytocenotic conditions of habitats. We studied the structure of the populations of the species. Traditional stationary methods for cenotic populations study were used. The spatial structure was estimated using modern mathematical methods, calculation of K (r) Ripley functions and Ripley cross-functions was performed. The phytogenic fields of species that grow together with A. salsoloides are characterized. The research area includes the Samara Predvolzhye and Samara Zavolzhye region. In the averaged age spectrum, the predominant group is the mature generative group, which is slightly inferior in number to the old generative fraction. The features of the spatial distribution of A. salsoloides in the population of Sernovodsky Shihan (Sergievsky District of the Samara Region) are studied. Here Artemisia is dominant in the community Artemisia salsoloides Willd. + Hedysarum grandiflorum Pall. - Stipa korshinskyi Roshev. The density of A. salsoloides in the studied coenopopulation is 1,7 individuals per 1 m. Pregenerative individuals are randomly distributed. The generative individuals repel each other for a distance of 0,2 m, followed by random placement. There is a tendency to form aggregations of 0,6 m. The estimation of the mutual placement of A. salsoloides and Stipa korshinskyi , as well as Oxytropis floribunda , indicates a slight repulsion of individuals at a distance of 0,2 m, with Hedysarum grandiflorum - a significant repulsion at a distance of 0,4 m with the subsequent random placement of all representatives. The specimens of A. salsoloides and Ephedra distachya , as well as Scabiosa isetensis , have a random placement.