We compiled a checklist of endemic vascular plants occurring in Kazakhstan, employing an exhaustive examination of literature sources, herbarium collections, databases and field observations. Our study reveals that 451 taxa can be considered endemic to Kazakhstan, constituting 7.97% of the total vascular plant diversity in the country. These endemic taxa, originating from 139 genera and 34 families, predominantly thrive in the southern regions of Kazakhstan, specifically in the mountain ridges of the Kazakh part of the Tian Shan, including Karatau (123 taxa), Dzungarian Alatau (80 taxa) and Trans-Ili and Kungey Alatau (50 taxa). Notably, 107 endemic species are granted legal protection. Detailed information regarding life form, life cycle, conservation status and geographical distribution across floristic regions was meticulously compiled for each endemic taxon. Of the six groups of life forms, herbs include the highest part of endemic taxa (367 taxa), followed by dwarf semishrubs (25 taxa), shrubs (23 taxa), subshrubs (20 taxa), undershrubs (13 taxa) and trees (3 taxa). The observed life cycles are perennials (408 taxa), annuals (33 taxa) and biennials (10 taxa). This paper serves as a fundamental groundwork for prospective investigations aimed at assessing population sizes and hotspots of plant endemism throughout Kazakhstan, crucial for determining conservation status of endemic plants.

The genus Tulipa L., belonging to the Liliaceae family, has significant economic, horticultural, and ecological importance and is culturally revered in various regions worldwide. The total number of Tulipa species, including 90–120 taxa, varies based on different sources. Globally, Kazakhstan has one of the highest diversities of Tulipa species, most of which are threatened. In this study, we update and revise the Tulipa species in Kazakhstan based on field observations and an extensive herbarium specimens’ survey. A total of 41 taxa were identified, including 13 species endemic to Kazakhstan, among which seven species have been assessed as threatened globally. Furthermore, we gathered 1,942 occurrence records of 41 Tulipa taxa to analyze spatial arrangement of Tulipa species richness in Kazakhstan. Based on these results, we identified 22 grid cells with a high diversity of tulip species in southern Kazakhstan. We also present taxonomic key for all Tulipa species occurring in Kazakhstan, along with comments on their general distribution, habitat, phenology, distribution map, and conservation status. In addition, a color plate for each species is provided. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the conservation status, distribution patterns, and biodiversity of Tulipa species in Kazakhstan, laying a foundation for targeted conservation efforts and further research in the region.

This article provides an overview of the resources of basic medicinal plants surveyed in the ridges of Southern Altai in East Kazakhstan, used in official and traditional medicine. The ecologicalphytocenotic characteristic is given for each species. The operational stock (OS) is determined and the amount of possible annual procurement of raw materials (PAP) is calculated. According to the research, 35 coenopopulations (CP) of 20 species of medicinal plants are described. It is established that the majority of surveyed medicinal plants is focused on Narym ridge-7 species in 11 CPs and in the Bukhtarma mountains 7 species in 8 CPs. On the ridges: Azutau identified 4 species in 5 CPs; South Altai Tarbagatai-3 species in 5 CPs; Sarymsakty-2 species in 5 CP, Kurchum ridgeone species in 1 CP. Thus, out of 20 resource species for industrial blanks, 6 types with a total PAP of air-dry raw materials of more than 5 tons are recommended: Achillea millefolium; Booleurum multinerve; Patrinia intermedia; Rosa laxa; Sanguisorba officinalis; Solidago virgaurea. For the local pharmacy chain with a total PAP less than 5 tons, the following species are suitable: Acorus calamus; Antennaria dioica; Artemisia gmelinii; Bergenia crassifolia; Cichorium intybus; Hypericum elegans; Hypericum elongatum; Hypericum perforatum; Hyssopus ambiguus; Inula helenium; Salvia stepposa; Thermopsis alpina; Thymus serpyllum; Ziziphora clinopodioides.

Representatives of the Crassulaceae family’s genus Rhodiola are succulents, making them distinctive in a changing environment. One of the most significant tools for analyzing plant resources, including numerous genetic processes in wild populations, is the analysis of molecular genetic polymorphism. This work aimed to look at the polymorphisms of allelic variations of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and auxin response factor (ARF) gene families, as well as the genetic diversity of five Rhodiola species, using the retrotransposons-based fingerprinting approach. The multi-locus exon-primed intron-crossing (EPIC-PCR) profiling approach was used to examine allelic variations in the SOD and ARF gene families. We implemented the inter-primer binding site (iPBS) PCR amplification technique for genome profiling, which demonstrated a significant level of polymorphism in the Rhodiola samples studied. Natural populations of Rhodiola species have a great capacity for adaptation to unfavorable environmental influences. The genetic variety of wild populations of Rhodiola species leads to their improved tolerance of opposing environmental circumstances and species evolutionary divergence based on the diversity of reproductive systems.

Aidarkhanova GS, Kubentayev SA, Kukhar YV, Urazalina AS. 2022. Current state of populations, resources, and biological activity Pulsatilla patens (Ranunculaceae) in Northern Kazakhstan. Biodiversitas 23: 2311-2320. Pulsatilla (Ranunculaceae Juss.) is one of the complex groups in systematic and nomenclature terms, which has more than 30 taxa. Pulsatilla species are widely used against many pathologies. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antimalarial, and antitumor properties of these plants are known. The object of our research was Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill. (Ranunculaceae) from the allopathic complex P. patens with yellow flower color in the Northern regions of Kazakhstan. The article provides detailed information on environmental and biological features, morphology, geographical distribution, phylogenetic characteristics, and raw materials of P. patens in Northern Kazakhstan. In addition to these studies, the antimicrobial and fungicidal activity of extracts from leaves and roots of the species is shown. It was established that the species grows in 6 administrative regions of Central and Northern Kazakhstan and 7 floristic regions. In the studied region, P. patens are often found along rocky foothill terraces (mainly on the southern slopes), forest edges, along the southern slopes and tops of the hills of steppes, and among shrubs. Data on the study of P. patens biomorphology showed that quantitative parameters are characterized by the greatest intra- and inter-population variability CV (number of individuals per 1 m2 (38-69%); the number of basal leaves (44-61%); the number of generative shoots per bush (32-53%). Metric parameters such as height during flowering (17-27%), height during fruiting (12-18%), flower diameter (14-24%), leaf blade diameter (11-26%) are characterized by low and medium variability, both within the population and at the inter-population level. In the phenological aspect, the species begins to grow in the first half of April. Blooms from mid-April to early May. Bears fruit from the second half of May to early June. The complete end of vegetation falls at the end of September. Analysis of biological activity of stem extracts and leaves of P. patens of Kazakhstan population showed that they have pronounced fungicidal properties in relation to conditionally pathogenic yeast Candida parapsilosis and molds Aspergillus niger. Water decoction P. patens was also active against Escherichia coli, indicating that it has antibacterial properties.

We present a review of Orchidaceae Juss. of the northern part of Kazakhstan, within the steppe, forest-steppe and semi-desert habitats of the country (Pavlodar, northern Kazakhstan, Kostanay, Akmola, Aktobe, West Kazakhstan, partially Karaganda and East Kazakhstan regions). The investigation is based on herbarium materials, literature data and field observations. We examined material from the following herbarium collections: LE, MW, TK, MHA, SVER, KUZ, ALTB, AA, NUR, KG, KSPI, NS, NSK, MOSP, ORIS, PPIU, totalling 288 herbarium specimens. The paper presents data in the form of revision, focusing on orchids of the northern part of Kazakhstan. It is accompanied by maps indicating localities, notes on habitat preferences, phenology and conservation status. A total of 25 species of 16 genera were recorded, of which eight are included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (2014). According to our data, we propose to enlarge the number of protected orchids by adding the following nine species: Corallorhiza trifida, Epipactis atrorubens, Gymnadenia conopsea, Hammarbya paludosa, Herminium monorchis, Liparis loeselii, Malaxis monophyllos, Neottia camtschatea and Spiranthes australis. The most widespread species in the studied region are Dactylorhiza incarnata, D. umbrosa and Epipactis palustris. The rarest species (single locality only) are Epipactis atrorubens, E. helleborine, Epipogium aphyllum, Hammarbya paludosa and Herminium monorchis.