Distribution and ecological confinement of psammophytic species of the genus Eremurus in Kazakhstan

УДК 582.572.224:581.9(574)

Abstract

Many ephemeroids are of interest as medicinal plants and are used as raw materials to isolate a number of biologically active substances that are important in practical terms. Some of them are forage plants characterized by high nutritional properties. Such species include representatives of the genus Eremurus M. Bieb. The genus Eremurus belongs to the family Asphodelaceae and unites in general more than 70 species, which are perennial grasses with spindle-shaped thickened roots and basal leaves. In the flora of Kazakhstan, the genus Eremurus is represented by 15 species, of which 2 are endemic. The range of the genus covers Western Asia and the Iran-Turan region, with the largest concentration of species concentrated in the south of Central Asia. Classical botanical methods were used in the research process. The steepest Herbarium stocks of the CIS were studied. Fundamental summaries were used to identify the collected material. On the basis of analysis of materials of collection funds, taking into account information of literature sources and expeditionary works it was revealed that 2 species of genus Eremurus (E. inderiensis, E. anisopterus) are found in the zone of sandy deserts of Kazakhstan. Eremurus anisopterus is found on slightly disturbed dunes with the participation of shrubs. Mostly in the Balkhash-Alakul floral district. With strong or medium anthropogenic impact, the species falls out of the vegetation. Eremurus inderiensis prevails in almost all communities in the flat sandy deserts of Kazakhstan. It is considered a pasqual species, it can form monodominant communities in crooked plain sands, it rarely and singly enters the sand dunes.