Allium is a complicated genus that includes approximately 1000 species. Although its morphology is well studied, the taxonomic importance of many morphological traits, including floral traits, are poorly understood. Here, we examined and measured the floral characteristics of 87 accessions of 74 Allium taxa (belonging to 30 sections and nine subgenera) from Central to Eastern Asian countries. We then examined the taxonomic relationships between select flower characteristics and a phylogenetic tree based on ITS sequences. Our results confirm that floral morphology provides key taxonomic information to assess species delimitation in Allium. We found that perianth color is an important characteristic within the subg. Melanocrommyum, Polyprason, and Reticulatobulbosa. In subg. Allium, Cepa, and Rhizirideum, significant characteristics include ovary shape, perianth shape, and inner tepal apex. For species in subg. Angunium, the key taxonomic character is ovule number (only one ovule in per locule). In the subg. Allium, Cepa, Polyprason, and Reticulatobulbosa, which belong to the third evolutionary line of Allium, hood-like appendages occur in the ovary, although these do not occur in subg. Rhizirideum. Our results also indicated that the flower morphology of several species in some sections are not clearly distinguished, e.g., sect. Sacculiferum (subg. Cepa) and sect. Tenuissima (subg. Rhizirideum). This study provides detailed photographs and descriptions of floral characteristics and information on general distributions, habitats, and phenology of the studied taxa.

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.

Astragalus L. is the largest genus worldwide, comprising more than 3,100 species belonging to 250 sections. In Mongolia, approximately 130 species, including 15 endemic and 25 subendemic species have been previously recognized from 42 sections and 6 subgenera. In this study, we investigated several species within section Laguropsis in Mongolia based on extensive morphological analyses and molecular evidence. Based on these results, we describe three new species and a new section. Two of the newly described species, A. oyunicus and A. teshigicus, belong to the section Laguropsis, whereas the remaining species, A. uvsicus, is the type species of the new section Uvsicus. Furthermore, our findings revealed that (i) A. tamiricus, previously considered endemic to Mongolia, is an additional synonym of A. laguroides, and (ii) A. gobi-altaicus, previously a synonym of A. laguroides, is an independent species. Finally, we provide taxonomic nomenclature, morphological observations, distribution maps and wild photo illustrations of each species.

In the second part, we selected 50 native vascular plant taxa from 44 genera and 24 families. The selected 49 species and one subspecies are belonging to the genera Acanthophyllum C.A.Mey., Aegopodium L., Anabasis L., Anemone L., Antennaria Gaern., Aquilegia L., Armeria (DC.) Willd., Astragalus L., Atriplex L., Camphorosma L., Caragana Lam., Cardamine L., Chamaerhodos Bunge, Chesniella Boriss., Cicerbita Wallr., Crucihimalaya Al-Shehbaz, O'Kane & R.A.Price, Delphinium Tourn., Galium L., Gentiana Tourn., Geum L., Glaucium Mill., Gypsophila L., Halocnemum M.Bieb., Hyssopus L., Incarvillea Juss., Iris Tourn., Lagochilus Bunge, Leiospora (C.A.Mey) F.Dvorak, Leonurus L., Limonium Mill., Lysimachia Tourn., Micranthes Haw., Pedicularis L., Phlomoides Moench, Phlox L., Rhododendron L., Rosa L., Sajanella Sojak, Saposhnikovia Schischk., Saussurea Salisb., Scirpus Tourn., Stellaria L., Stenosolenium Turcz., Tofieldia Huds., and Typha L. The most of species are found in Asian countries. The endemism, global and regional distribution, natural habitat, and conservation status of each species are provided.

Four species of Saussurea, namely S. involucrata, S. orgaadayi, S. bogedaensis, and S. dorogostaiskii, are known as the “snow lotus,” which are used as traditional medicines in China (Xinjiang), Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Russia (Southern Siberia). These species are threatened globally, because of illegal harvesting and climate change. Furthermore, the taxonomic classification and identification of these threatened species remain unclear owing to limited research. The misidentification of medicinal species can sometimes be harmful to health. Therefore, the phylogenetic and genomic features of these species need to be confirmed. In this study, we sequenced five complete chloroplast genomes and seven nuclear ITS regions of four snow lotus species and other Saussurea species. We further explored their genetic variety, selective pressure at the sequence level, and phylogenetic relationships using the chloroplast genome, nuclear partial DNA sequences, and morphological features. Plastome of the snow lotus species has a conserved structure and gene content similar to most Saussurea species. Two intergenic regions (ndhJ–ndhK and ndhD-psaC) show significantly high diversity among chloroplast regions. Thus, ITS and these markers are suitable for identifying snow lotus species. In addition, we characterized 43 simple sequence repeats that may be useful in future population genetic studies. Analysis of the selection signatures identified three genes (rpoA, ndhB, and ycf2) that underwent positive selection. These genes may play important roles in the adaptation of the snow lotus species to alpine environments. S. dorogostaiskii is close to S. baicalensis and exhibits slightly different adaptation from others. The taxonomic position of the snow lotus species, confirmed by morphological and molecular evidence, is as follows: (i) S. involucrata has been excluded from the Mongolian flora due to misidentification as S. orgaadayi or S. bogedaensis for a long time; (ii) S. dorogostaiskii belongs to section Pycnocephala subgenus Saussurea, whereas other the snow lotus species belong to section Amphilaena subgenus Amphilaena; and (iii) S. krasnoborovii is synonymous of S. dorogostaiskii. This study clarified the speciation and lineage diversification of the snow lotus species in Central Asia and Southern Siberia.

Astragalus L. is one of the largest genera, including over 3000 taxa worldwide. In the present study, we found two new records of A. teskhemicus Sytin and Shaulo and A. testiculatus Pall. in western Mongolia. We provided a morphological revision and DNA barcoding (ITS) of two new records along with that of the most similar Astragalus species including A. ammodytes Pall., A. gubanovii N. Ulziykh., A. hypogaeus Ledeb., A. junatovii Sanchir. Furthermore, we made detailed photo illustrations and wild photos for new records and four species based on our field observations, respectively. The general distribution, taxonomic notes, type information, habitats, and species examined are given.