Aristolochia manshuriensis and Aristolochia contorta in the collection of the Botanical Garden-Institute FEB RAS

Abstract

Ex situ is a reliable way to conservation rare plants of native flora outside of populations. There are two species of Aristolochia (Aristolochiaceae) in the collection of the Botanical Garden-Institute of the Far East Branch RAS. Aristolochia manshuriensis is included in the Red Data Book of Russian Federation and the Red Data Book of the Primorsky Krai. Aristolochia contorta is included in the Red Data Book of the Primorsky Krai and the Red Data Book of the Jewish Autonomous Region. To assess the introduction success we studied individual and seasonal development, flowering, productivity, and reproduction. A. manshuriensis begins to bloom and bear the fruit in 6-8 years, A. contorta in 3-4 years after sowing the seeds. Seasonal development cycle is terminated by fructification. Fruits are produced each year. Life duration of individual flower is 7-9 days. The long life of the flower and the long flowering period of the individual increase the chance of cross-pollination. The high factual seed set on the fruit has A. manshuriensis - from 76 ± 14 to 134 ± 10, more 80% of them are great vitality, freshly-harvested seed germination is 80-85 %. The factual seed set on the fruit of A. contorta is 129 ± 22 seeds of which intact and capable to germinate about 50 %. When sowing seeds in autumn, the germination is 40 ± 3 %. The studied species are perspective for reproduction and conservation in culture.