Species diversity of the genus Allium in the flora of Aral-Balkhash region

Abstract

Currently, the genus Allium L., which is one of the largest genera of the Monocotyledon class, has more than 1000 species in its composition. In the flora of Kazakhstan, the genus is represented by at least 130 species. The species of this genus are characterized by a variety of morphological characteristics, which makes it difficult to determine them. The ecological range of the species of the genus is also wide and extends from the alpine and subalpine belts to deserts. According to modern data, 25 (19 % of 130) alliums growing in Kazakhstan are found in the Aral-Balkhash region. The aim of the research was to study critically the diversity of species of the genus Allium from 3 sections (Haplostemon Boiss. -7; Porrum Don - 3, Molium Don - 5) of the flora of the Aral-Balkhash region. The conspectus presented in the article is based on the critical review of available herbarium materials: the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction (AA), (Almaty, Kazakhstan), the digital herbarium of the Lomonosov Moscow State University (Moscow, Russia), the Herbarium (TASH) of the Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, taking into account the modern system of the genus Allium. For each species, information on the biological characteristics of the species, their ecological confinement and geographical distribution is provided. Screening of herbarium samples revealed 158 plant vouchers belonging to 15 species from 3 sections. The results of the analysis of the edaphic confinement of species, in general, confirm the validity of the distribution of species in the presented sections.