Botanical Institute Research Articles

КОНТРОЛЬ ЖИЗНЕСПОСОБНОСТИ СЕМЯН ABROMA AUGUSTA (L.) L.f.

The article presents data on the functional and morphological parameters of Abroma augusta (L.) L.f. seeds, which were collected from 2014 to 2021. in the greenhouse of the Botanical Garden of Samara University. The collected seeds were stored in paper bags at room temperature. The length of the seeds was measured by the flatbed scanning method, which varied from 2.33 to 3.85 mm, the average length was 3.18 mm. The weight of 1000 seeds is characterized by the following range of values: from 4.2905 to 6.0385 g, the average weight of 1000 seeds over 8 years of research is 5.4404 g. habitat of this plant. Humidity was in the range of 4.94–10.16% for seeds stored for more than a year and 8.04% for freshly harvested. By the method of digital microfocus radiography, an express assessment of the quality of seeds was carried out. Seed fulfillment varied from 57.74 to 97.60%. No signs of pest infestation or seed damage were found. The seeds remained viable after 5–6 years of storage, laboratory germination varied from 8 to 46% depending on the storage period of the seeds. The first signs of seed germination appeared 2–4 days after sowing. The highest seed germination rate index was in the samples of 2015 and 2017. Seeds of Abroma augusta (L.) L.f., obtained in the greenhouse conditions of the Botanical Garden of Samara University, are viable and can be used for seed exchange with other botanical institutions.

Contribution to Studies on Rare Medicinal Mushroom Sparassis crispa (Agaricomycetes) in Culture and Its Production of Phenol Compounds under Various Cultivation Conditions.

Three Sparassis crispa strains from the Komarov Botanical Institute Basidiomycetes Culture Collection (LE-BIN) were studied on various agar and liquid media for growth and phenol compound production. On agar media, the strains produced crystals of various shapes and sizes that glowed in ultraviolet light and were visible to the naked eye. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the crystals were identified as sparassol (methyl 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methylbenzoate). Other phenol compounds (i.e., methyl ester of sparassol and methyl ester of orsellinic acid) were also found in S. crispa mycelium. Phenol compounds were detected both in the mycelium and culture filtrate of all studied strains cultivated on various agar and liquid media, at different acidity and duration, but their composition and ratio varied. The initial pH of cultivated medium did not have a large influence on phenol compound production, unlike culture growth duration, which correlated directly with sparassol concentration in mycelium. Production of the phenol compounds presumably connected with constitutive processes of Sparassis metabolism, but the intensity of their production and accumulation in mycelium depends on the strain, conditions, and cultivation time. Strain LE-BIN 2902 is considered a promising sparassol producer.

Новые находки водорослей, грибов, лишайников и мохообразных. 9

First records of cyanoprokaryotic species for the Russian part of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, aphyllophoroid fungi for the Yaroslavl Region, myxomycetes for the Republic of Belarus, lichens and allied fungi for the Tver Region, lichens for the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Kabardino-Balkarian and Karachayevo-Circassian republics, and Perm Territory, mosses for the Kursk, Lipetsk and Saratov regions are presented. The data on their localities, habitats, distribution are provided. The specimens are kept in the herbaria of the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS (LE), Department of Botany of St. Petersburg State University (LECB), Kuprevich Institute of Experimental Botany NAS of Belarus (MSK-F), Francisk Skorina Gomel State University of Belarus (GSU), National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod (NNSU), Galichya Gora Reserve of the Voronezh State University (VU).

Новые данные об афиллофоровых грибах (Basidiomycota) ООПТ Ленинградской области. XI. Планируемая к созданию ООПТ «Кюренниеми»

The paper provides the first data on aphyllophoroid fungi of planned protected area “Kurenniemi” situated in the Vyborg District of the Leningrad Region (European Russia). The list includes 164 species annotated by data on their habitats, substrates, and frequency. Antrodiella leucoxantha, Hydnum umbilicatum, and Hyphodontia floccosa are published for the first time for the Leningrad Region. The specimens are kept in the Mycological herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS (LE).

К лихенофлоре Северо-Осетинского заповедника (Северная Осетия — Алания). II. Кластер «Карца»

New data on the lichen flora of the North Ossetia Nature Reserve from the cluster “Kartsa” are provided. This cluster is located in Kartsinskii Range slopes, Central Caucasus. The specimens of lichens and lichenicolous fungi were collected near the top of Ol’dukhankhokh Mt. in cluster “Kartsa” in June 2016. In total, 115 lichen species and 15 lichenicolous fungi were recorded. Among them, 128 species are new to the cluster “Kartsa”. Of these, 77 species are new for the North Ossetia Nature Reserve, including 71 species new for the Republic of North Ossetia — Alania, 36 species new for the Central Caucasus, and 5 species new for the Caucasus. The genus Poeltinula and three species (Arthonia punctella, Opegrapha hellespontica, Poeltinula cerebrina) are reported for the first time from Russia. The representative specimens of new for Russia and rare species are kept in the Lichenological Herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS (LE).

О таксонах рода × Trisetokoeleria (Poaceae) в российской Арктике

An amplified description of the Siberian Arctic species × Trisetokoeleria taimyrica Tzvelev is compiled, based on the study and measurements of about 100 reproductive shoots (10 herbarium sheets) stored in the Herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS (LE), including the neotype designated by the authors and 4 authentic herbarium specimens identified by N. N. Tzvelev. The main distinctive characters of the three species of the genus × Trisetokoeleria are given in the table, taking into account additional data on × T. taimyrica. The difficulty of recognizing the × Trisetokoeleria species in nature (the use of optics is necessary) is complicated by a weak difference in key features, primarily between T. gorodkowii (Roshev.) Tzvelev and T. taimyrica. The third species, namely T. jurtzevii Prob., clearly differs from the other two by pubescent (hairy) inflorescence branchlets and longer awns. × T. taimyrica differs from × T. gorodkowii by narrower, few-flowered panicles, glumes of slightly (vs. strongly) unequal length, and acuminate (vs. obtuse) lemma tips, and from × T. jurtzevii by glabrous stem, panicle branchlets and lemmas, as well as by shorter awns and narrower few-flowered panicles. Its differences from postulated parent species are as follows: from Koeleria asiatica Pers. — a short straight awn extending below the lemma tip (vs. extending from the very tip of the lemma, that is sometimes observed in K. asiatica), and glabrous stems and panicle branchlets; from Trisetum agrostideum (Laest.) Fr.) — a very short, straight awn extending slightly below the lemma tip (vs. twice articulated and extending slightly above ½ or at upper ⅓ of the lemma), as well as spike-like panicles. A map of the localities of the three × Trisetokoeleria species is compiled.

Новые данные о миксомицетах Республики Калмыкия (Россия)

An annotated list of 32 species of myxomycetes is presented for the Republic of Kalmykia, of which 14 are recorded for the first time in this region. The checklist contains data on the localities, habitats, substrates, methods of collection, and voucher numbers of specimens deposited in the Mycological herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (LE). Among the identified species, representatives of the family Physaraceae (10 species), Trichiaceae (9 species), Didymiaceae (5 species), and Stemonitidaceae (4 species) are predominant, followed by the Liceaceae (2 species). The smallest number of species belong to the family Dianemataceae (1 species) and Amaurochaetaceae (1 species). The species composition is typical for arid regions of Eurasia, which are generally characterized by low species richness. The most abundant species were Badhamia spinispora, Fuligo cinerea, and Physarum pseudonotabile, as well as several species of the genus Perichaena (P. depressa, P. liceoides, and P. corticalis). In the study area, 22 species of myxomycetes were recorded in the desert zone and 16 in the steppe zone. The values of Chao1 indices suggest that in the desert and steppe zonal vegetation communities the collecting carried out revealed about 75% of the expected number of species, whereas in the azonal arboreal vegetation in the steppe (48%) and desert zones (57%), the values were much lower. Species biodiversity of myxomycetes in the Republic of Kalmykia is still not completely known, but the data obtained in the present study provide a basis for conducting further studies of myxomycetes in this region.

Заметки по истории геоботанического картографирования (по материалам выставки геоботанических карт в Ботаническом институте им. В. Л. Комарова РАН, организованной к 100-летию Отдела геоботаники)

During the conference, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Department of Geobotany, the exhibition “Development of vegetation mapping in Russia” was organized at the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS. The aim of the exhibition was to show the consistent development of theoretical approaches to the compilation of legends, mapping techniques and methods, the development of various schools of vegetation mapping in Russia. About 70 maps of different times, from 1900 to the present, were demonstrated. Brief explanatory texts were given. The exhibition included the survey maps of the vegetation of Russia (former USSR) and some individual regions; medium- and large-scale inventory, scientific reference and educational maps. This article contains the lists of presented vegetation maps, indicating authors and editors’ names. The most interesting maps got short descriptions of scientific approaches to the compilation of legends and their design. The authors note some tendencies in the recent development of vegetation maps. Nowadays more attention is paid to automatic mapping and remote data interpretation, rather than the development of theoretical approaches based on botanical geography, analysis and comparison of various nature maps. Early, vegetation maps aimed to clarify particular features and general vegetation patterns as well as interrelations between vegetation and environmental conditions. Less attention is paid to the development of map legends. Modern vegetation maps are not very informative sometimes. The exhibition of vegetation maps gave an overview of history and development of vegetation mapping in Russia (USSR); it presented the main scientific schools and teams of geobotanical cartographers. Despite the fact that only a part of the maps created over more than 100 years was presented at the exhibition, it demonstrated the enormous contribution made by Russian scientists to thematic mapping.

Российская геоботаника: итоги и перспективы. О работе Всероссийской научной конференции с международным участием, посвященной 100-летию Отдела геоботаники БИН (Санкт-Петербург, 26–30 сентября 2022 г.)

The All-Russian Scientific Conference “Russian geobotany: results and development prospects” was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Department of Geobotany of the Komarov Botanical Institute. The Conference was held September 26–30, 2022 in St. Petersburg (Proceedings…, 2022). 123 geobotanists from 25 cities of Russia participated in the Conference as well as our colleagues from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam. The conference activity was held in three main topics: “Vegetation diversity and conservation”, “Structure and dynamics of plant communities”, “Vegetation geography and cartography”. At the plenary session and section meetings 62 oral and 56 poster presentations were presented. Three “round-table” talk sessions were held: two of them were dedicated to the problems of vegetation classification and the last — to the issues of geobotanical terminology. A significant part of the reports at the section “Diversity and protection of plant communities” was devoted to the classification of vegetation. The most part of authors used methods of floristic classification (Brown-Blanquet approach), but general analytic surveys were presented only in some works, and the rest were devoted to regional and local prodromuses of individual unions or to descriptions of lower syntaxa. A significant part of geobotanists follows the traditional principles of the Russian and Soviet school of dominant-determinant classification; the two other approaches to vegetation classification were applied in single reports: topological-ecological and geographical-genetic. Several papers have been devoted to the classification of habitat types. A significant part of vegetation studies have been carried out on the territory of protected areas: nature reserves, sanctuaries, national parks and natural landmarks: from the westernmost — Belovezhskaya Pushcha (Belarus) to the easternmost — the Bastak Reserve (Jewish Autonomous Region) and the Koryak Reserve (Kamchatka Region). Many of the reports at the section “Structure and dynamics of plant communities” concerned the study of vegetation dynamics after anthropogenic impacts, which are the main destabilizing factors of vegetation cover. Very few studies related to climate change have been presented. Several reports analyzed the demographic structure of populations. Few reports were also devoted to the statistical modelling of vegetation dynamics. The modern approach based on the functional characteristics of plants is just beginning to develop in Russian geobotany. Rapidly developing machine learning methods are gradually being introduced into the arsenal of geobotanical science methods — for the purposes of vegetation classification and vegetation mapping. Research in the botanical geography and cartography continues in various regions of our country, in Belarus and Kazakhstan. The positive aspects in cartographic work are the increasing use of remote sensing data and tools for their processing, as well as the compilation of applied maps based on vegetation maps to solve various practical problems. However, a small number of reports were presented in the section “Vegetation geography and cartography”, which may reflect a decrease in interest in this area and a lack of specialists. In addition, it should be noted that very few works devoted to major botanical-geographic generalizations have been carried out in recent decades. Less and less geobotanists are engaged in middle- and small-scale vegetation mapping, which would continue and develop the traditions of the national school of geobotanical mapping and zoning.

Вопросы картографирования растительности на конференции «Российская геоботаника: итоги и перспективы» (к 100-летию отдела геоботаники БИН)

On 26–30 of September 2022, the Komarov Botanical Institute hosted the conference “Russian Geobotany: Results and Prospects” (on the 100th anniversary of the Komarov Botanical Institute Geobotany Department). 123 participants from 25 cities of Russia as well as colleagues from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Vietnam attended the conference. The work of the conference was held in three directions: “Diversity and protection of vegetation”, “Structure and dynamics of plant communities”, “Geography and cartography of vegetation”. 23 presentations were given in the section “Geography and Cartography of Vegetation”, 10 reports only focused on vegetation mapping. Various methodological aspects related to vegetation mapping were discussed: practical significance of cartographic works, for example, assessment of the stability of forest fires, the degree of disturbance, the conservation value of plant communities and habitats, the dynamic state of plant communities; the application of automated methods for interpretation of space images, the use of remote sensing techniques for mapping, etc. The colleagues got very good opportunities to share their experiences on vegetation mapping.

Род Dryopteris Adans. в Европейской части России

According to the results of field studies (2015–2022), the work of herbarium collections of the Basegi Nature Reserve, Perm State University (PERM), Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (LE), South-Siberian Botanical Garden (ALTB) and the analysis of literary data compiled: a brief description of the genus Dryopteris Adans. in the European Russia, the key to determining the species in the territory under consideration and their brief overview with the necessary comments. The field research was conducted the Moscow, Leningrad and Murmansk Oblasts, the Karachay-Cherkess and Kabardino-Balkarian Republics, Perm and Stavropol Krais, as well as the Karelia. In total, more than 500 herbarium specimens were collected, which are stored in the collections of Perm State University (PERM) and the South-Siberian Botanical Garden (ALTB).

Клёны (Acer L.) Ботанического сада Петра Великого Ботанического института им. В.Л. Комарова Российской академии наук

Род клён (Acer L.; Sapindaceae) включает около 170 видов. Виды этого рода очень значимы в дендрологии. Их широко используют в городском озеленении. За почти 310-летнюю историю Ботанического сада Петра Великого Ботанического института им. В.Л. Комарова РАН было испытано порядка 150 видов. В настоящее время в коллекции парка Ботанического сада представлен 71 таксон (виды и декоративные формы). Род клён является ведущим по числу видов и форм среди всех древесных растений, культивируемых в Санкт-Петербурге, очень важный в декоративной дендрологии и городском озеленении. Изучение коллекции клёнов Ботанического сада Петра Великого показало, что многие виды и формы могут быть рекомендованы для внедрения в практику городского озеленения. Для семенного размножения следует отбирать семена классов 4 и 5, которые гарантировано будут обеспечивать сеянцами питомники.
 
 БлагодарностиРабота выполнена в рамках госзадания по плановой теме «Коллекции живых растений Ботанического института им. В.Л. Комарова (история, современное состояние, перспективы использования)», № АААА-А18-118032890141 – 4.

ЭКОЛОГО-КСИЛОТОМИЧЕСКИЙ АНАЛИЗ ДРЕВЕСНЫХ ЦВЕТКОВЫХ РАСТЕНИЙ ИЗ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ ФИТОЦЕНОЗОВ ВОСТОЧНЫХ РАЙОНОВ СЕВЕРНОГО КАВКАЗА

Deep study of plant adaptations at different levels of their organization, from cellular to cenotic, is one of the fundamental problems of ecological botany. Its important aspect is the study of the structural responses of different tissue types on the change of environmental factors, including highly fluctuating conditions of the mountains. A significant role in the ability of plants to acqure a particular natural environment belongs to the organization of wood – a complex tissue performing water-conducting, mechanical and storage functions. An essential aspect of ecological anatomy is the detection of a complex of structural features characterizing the originality of the secondary xylem (wood) in representatives of arboriflora of the North Caucasus. The aim of our study was to perform comparative ecological and xylotomic analysis of the water-conducting tissues of woody flowering plants of various phytocenoses in eastern regions of the North Caucasus and the identification of the basic xylotomic character facilitating the growth of these species in the humid and arid habitats. Materials and methods of research. Samples of wood for xylotomic analysis are taken from the collections of the Botanical Museum and Herbarium of Komarov Botanical Institute (RAS, St. Petersburg), CI RAS Laboratory (Grozny), and also collected from several phytocenoses of the successive mountain belts, including foothill lowlands, during expeditions in the territory of the Chechen Republic. In total, we have examined 72 species of 51 genus from 28 families of woody flowering plants belonging to various biomorphs – tree, shrub,semifrutex, liana. Microslides and their descriptions are made by conventional methods (Yatsenko-Khmelevsky, 1954; Metcalfe, Clark, 1983), using the terminology proposed by the International Association of wood anatomists – IAWA (Wheeleretal., 1989). The method of xylotomyc characteristics’ code is used in the analysis of wood structure (Umarov and others 2007). Results. Ecological and xylotomic analysis of the waterconducting tissues of woody xerophytes of Tersko-Kumskaya lowland and Itumkalinskyintermontane depression showed their sufficiently high specialization. The structural and functional wood features of such plants increase environmental capabilities, allowing plants to reserve and economically consume water and settle in conditions of sharp shortage of moisture, high temperatures, strong drying winds and soil poverty. As it was shown by the analysis of mesophilic species of mountain forest from the river Fortanga gorge, among arily advanced characters are present along with primitive. This indicates a distinct manifestation of heterobathmia, which is typical for plants of the 1st and 2nd layers. The ratio of feature set of different levels of specialization may vary depending on the life form of the plant and its position in the forest cenosis. In comparison with the above-mentioned phytocenoses, the hydrosystem of plants of subalpine and Alpine biotopes (Andian ridge slopes, Harami pass) is characterized by a large number of primitive features. The structure of the water-conducting tissue of their species has common features and some differences, determined mainly by their life forms (in the Alpine zone – mostly tiny creeping shrubs). Conclusion. It is shown that complex of structural features of the water-conducting system in xerophytes is more specialized than that onr of mesophytes. This greatly expands their ecological amplitude, allowing them to acclimate in the areas characterized by high temperatures, sharp shortage of moisture and soil poverty. The existence of plants with less specialized hydrosystem is possible in the humid habitats of mountain zones, with a more favorable regime of water and soil resources.

USE OF SEQUENCING METHODS FOR SPECIES IDENTIFICATION EXEMPLIFIED BY PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN GENUS HEDYSARUM L.

At the moment, a relevant objective in pharmacognosy, is the use of all kinds of the DNA analysis methods for identifying plant materials, detecting counterfeits, genetically modified crops and products.The aim of the research is to study the possibility of using molecular genetic research methods in the analysis of the genus Hedysarum L., for the identification of medicinal plant materials. This article presents the results of the application of molecular genetic research methods in the analysis of the genus Hedysarum L. in the flora of the North Caucasus.Materials and methods. The study material was the samples of the genus Hedysarum L. species collected in the North Caucasus: Hedysarum caucasicum M. Bieb. (in the fruiting phase in the territory of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic); Hedysarum grandiflorum Pall. (in the fruiting phase in the Volgograd region); Hedysarum daghestanicum Rupr. ex Boiss. (in the flowering phase in the Republic of Dagestan). Sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 marker region of gene 5.8S by the RNA ribosome was carried out according to the Sanger method on the AbiPrism 3130 genetic analyzer at the laboratory of biosystematics and cytology of Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.Results. Based on a comparative study of the marker region of the nuclear ribosomal gene 5.8S rRNA, marker nucleotide substitutions of Hedysarum caucasicum M. Bieb., Hedysarum daghestanicum Rupr. ex Boiss., Hedysarum grandiflorum Pall, have been identified. The most probable secondary structure of 5.8S rRNA has been constructed. It has been shown that based on the analysis performed, it is possible to predict additional raw material sources of mangiferin and other groups of xanthones using the molecular data exemplified by the Obscura section.Conclusion. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that the morphological classification of the genus Hedysarum L. can be confirmed within the Obscura section.

Новые находки водорослей, грибов, лишайников и мохообразных. 8

First records of silica-scaled chrysophyte alga for the Leningrad Region and North-West of European Russia, fungi for the Pskov and Novosibirsk regions, and the Republic of Tuva, myxomycetes for the Republic of Belarus, lichens for the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area and West Siberia, liverworts for the Kurgan Region, mosses for the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania, the Taimyr Peninsula, the Chukotka Autonomous Area, and the Kamchatka Territory from the North Koryakia are presented. The data on their localities, habitats, distribution, and specimens are provided. The specimens are kept in the Herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS (LE), the Herbarium of M. G. Popov at the Central Siberian Botanical Garden RAS (NSK), or the Herbarium of the Kuprevich Institute of Experimental Botany NAS of Belarus (MSK-F).

Анализ изменчивости морфологических признаков сортов камелии японской (Camellia japonica L.) в условиях защищенного грунта г. Москвы

In the present work, the analysis of the variability of quantitative and qualitative morphological traits of Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica L.) varieties used in greenhouses of botanical institutions in Moscow is considered. The paper considers the following varieties: ‘Governor Mouton’, ‘Madame Lebois’, ‘Covina’, ‘Bella Toscana’, ‘Bonomiana’, ‘Alba Simplex’, ‘Lavinia Maggi’, ‘ Silver Waves ’,‘ Doncklaeri ’. To assess the variability, 10 characters were selected, six of which describe the leaf (leaf blade length, leaf blade width, leaf ovality index, leaf blade base shape, leaf blade apex shape, leaf blade shape) and four – flowers (corolla color, flower diameter, degree of terry and aroma). The variability of quantitative characteristics was assessed by determining the confidence intervals method and calculating the coefficients of variation. The variability of qualitative features was assessed by establishing modalities and determining modes. It is noted that, in terms of quantitative and qualitative characteristics, weak variability is observed in most cases. Thus, the studied varieties of Japanese camellia have stable features that characterize the flower and leaf blade. Keywords: CAMELLIA JAPONICA, JAPANESE CAMELLIA, VARIABILITY, VARIETIES

A new species Lappula botschantzevii (Boraginaceae) from the Northern Africa

A new species, Lappula botschantzevii, is described from the desert zone of North-Western Africa. The new species belongs to the section Lappula and is close to the species L. patula, from which it differs in a smaller corolla, a scorpioid inflorescence (bilateral flowers) with loosely spaced flowers, a heteromorphic coenobium with two types of eremocarps: A) winged with glochids and a large number of spines along the edges of the disc of eremocarps and B) with a second short row of spines. The species is described based on samples from collections housed in three herbaria: Herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS, Sankt-Peterburg (LE, Russia) and Muséum National d ‘Histoire Naturelle, Paris (P, France), Université de Montpellier (MPU). It is named after the Russian botanist Viktor Petrovich Botschantzev, who spent many years studying the flora of Africa and who collected samples of the new species. The absence of holotypes required the typification of the names of the studied species Lappula patula, L. capensis and L. eckloniana.

Lectotypification and authorship of the name of Melilotus tauricus (Fabaceae)

The article addresses the issue of lectotype designation of Melilotus tauricus (Fabaceae) and the authorship of this binomial. The species was described by F. Marschall von Bieberstein in 1819 as Trifolium, but no type was cited. The lectotype of Melilotus tauricus has not yet been designated. It is chosen here from among the original material stored in the Herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute, RAS (LE). It is also revealed that the priority of the combination belongs to C. Ledebour (1823) – M. tauricus (M. Bieb.) Ledeb. – instead of N. Seringe (1825) as it was previously believed.

Recommendations for the conservation of the wild onions (Allium) gene pool in the Northwestern Federal District of Russia

Abstract. Relevance. Preservation of the plant genetic diversity is necessary for carrying out largescale breeding activities in order to improve existing economically important species and create varieties of cultivated plants. The priority method is the in situ conservation. Hence is the relevance of studies of vulnerable crop wild relatives (CWR) in the Northwestern Federal District of Russia (NWFDR) for designing recommendations on their in situ conservation.Materials. The materials used in the present work were the herbarium collections of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (WIR), of the V.L. Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (LE), as well as the literature data, results of expeditionary surveys by VIR in 1946, 1948 and 1949, and from 2005 to 2020. The species included in the regional Red Data Books (RDB) were analyzed, data from GBIF and CWR open databases, and materials and maps of the Agroatlas used.Results and Discussions. Six species of the genus Allium, i.e. A. angulosum L., A. oleraceum L., A. schoenoprasum L., A. strictum Schrad., A. vineale L., and A. ursinum L. have been identified and proposed for conservation in the Northwestern Federal District of Russia. Maps have been built, numerous data sources, as well as the author’s own observations, analyzed. Conservation recommendations have been developed for each species based on their vulnerability.

ON THE SEED RENEWAL OF TAMARIX RAMOSISSIMA LEDEB. IN THE COLLECTION ALPINARIUM OF PETER THE GREAT BOTANIC GARDEN

Information about Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. has been growing in the Peter the Great Botanical Garden of the Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg since 1939. It reached 6.2 m in height at the age of 82. It is considered the most winter-hardy, characterized by long flowering and high decorative effect. The first flowering was noted in 1942, for a long time the plants only bloomed without tying the fruit. After the hot summer of 2010, fruits were first formed and self-seeding appeared in 2011-2012. This is a unique fact for such northern latitudes. The species can be recommended for landscaping and promote its culture further north. In the context of climate change and its warming at the beginning of the XXI century, constant monitoring and continuous phenological observations of Tamarix ramosissima are important.