Artemisia of Inner Asia: species diversity, essential oils’ composition and practical use

Abstract

Genus Artemisia is one of the large multispecies genera of the Asteraceae family in the Siberian flora. In the arid and subarid zones of the Holarctic, wormwoods are often the dominant plant community. On the territory of Buryatia there are 47 species of Artemisia, on the territory of Mongolia – 102, and on the Qinghai territory – 54. The genus Artemisia L., growing in Buryatia, Mongolia and Qinghai belongs to three subgenera, of which the subgenus Artemisia is the most widely widespread. The subgenus Seriphidium is more prevalent in Mongolia (16 species), rather than in Buryatia or Qinghai (2 species in each territory). The territories of Buryatia, Mongolia and Qinghai have 13 common species of Artemisia. Among the plants belonging to the genus Artemisia, 40 species grow in both Buryatia and Mongolia at the same time, 22 – in Mongolia and Qinghai, 14 – in Buryatia and Qinghai. The component composition of essential oils is formed as a result of the influence of abiotic and biotic factors of the environment on the plant during its growth. It ensures the best adaptation of the plant to the conditions of particular location. Many species of wormwoods have an important practical value, with a potential to be used in medicine, functional nutrition, food industry, and also as fodder, technical and decorative plants.