Ruscus Species Distributed in Türkiye

Abstract

Ruscus species are represented by seven species in the world and four of these species (R. aculeatus L., R. hypoglossum L., R. hypophyllum L. and R. colchicus Yeo) grow naturally in the flora of Turkiye. Other Ruscus species (R. hyrcanus Woronow., R. x microglossus Bertol. and R. streptophyllus Yeo) are naturally distributed in different parts of the world. Ruscus species grow between 80 and 100 cm tall. These species have numerous evergreen leaf-like flattened structures, which have photosynthetic capability, on branched stems known as cladodes. The small violet flowers are situated on the center of cladodes. Their orange-red fruits are 5-10 mm in diameter. Ruscus species are perennial plants. In addition to their use as outdoor plants in landscape architecture, these species are mostly used as cut greens for flower arrangements and medicinal purposes, as well as for cosmetic products. Ruscus species are also known as geophytes due to the structure of their storage organs (rhizomes), which are located under the soil surface. In this compilation study, our main aims were to provide information about these species, which grow naturally in Türkiye’s flora and are uncontrollably collected from nature and put on the market, to reveal their potential for evaluation as ornamental plants and to increase awareness about these valuable native species to protect our genetic resources. The distribution regions in nature, various morphological properties and different usage areas of four Ruscus species naturally grown in Türkiye are given in detail.