Section: Systematic and Geography of higher plants

Polypodiaceae Bercht. et J. Presi as a new familia in the flora of Nakhchivan.

T.H. Talibov, E.S.Novruzova

E-mail: t_talibov@mail.ru

enovruzova_32@mail.ru

In the article informationis given about the new familia Polypodiaceae Bercht. et J. Presi which was identified during research of ferns in Nakhchivan. Bioecological traits, phytocenology and areals of P.vulgare L. Specie from Polypodium L. Genus of Polypodiaceae Bercht. et J. Presi familia was shown.

         Key words: Nakhchivan, ferns, Polypodiaceae Bercht. et J. Presi, Polypodium L., P.vulgare L.,familia, specie, genus.

Nakhchivan differs from other regions of Azerbaijan by its rich plants and biodiversity. The geographic location and climate condition allowed formation of very rich flora and fauna.

Ferns are one of the most important plants in Nakhchivani flora. Ferns are oldest plants developed 300 billion years ago in Devon period, appeared in the Earth when no any animal lived here yet. 250 billion years ago, in Choacal period, when floural plants and trees were absent, in the Earth all bogs were surrounded by dense fern forests. That’s why Choacal period is called Ferns period as well. In the world the sourse of chocal was fern forests. Novadays though some fern species were survived, most species have been threatened.

There are more than 10000 species of ferns in the Earth. Ferns are found mainly in humid places and shadowy places away from strong sun rays. Although some fern species are found in cold zones near northern pole and in high mountains, in kind climates and humid zones they are more typically found. Ferns creat a green taugh cover in tropic forests. Also they grow in rock cracks, mauntains, trees, bushes, empity grounds, but most species grow in soil. Despite growing on trees, they are not parazits because they dont take food from trees.

Ferns are called vascular plants as weel, because they have well developed veins inside the root, stem and leaves to carry water and feed. As the stem is too short or lieing, these plants look like growing right from the soil surface.

Ferns have medicine, technical, food and decorative importance.

Actuality of the topic: Ferns are the oldest representatives of the high sporophites. This plants are considered to be one of the main phytocomponents in the developing of the flora, especially forests. That’s why research of the fern species in Nakhchivan, identification of new genus and species to inculde them in the flora and identification of taxonomical composition is one of most important issues.

Material and methods: During research expeditions carried out to the different zones of Nakhchivan, different fern species were collected. Identification and bioecology of the collected species was based on      ÀskerovA.M. “Ferns of Caucasus”, Kiseleva K.V., Mayorov S.R., Novikov V.S. “Flora midland Russia”, “Flora Europaea, volume1: Psilotaceae to Platanaceae”. Magnifying glass was used.

Ecological description of the region and flora was researched on the basis of ‘Taxonomical spectr of Nakhchivan Republic’ by A.S.Ibrahimov.

Discussion of results: So far in Nakhchivan there was shown 10 fern species in 1 class, 4 familia, 7 genus [1 p. 20]. But as a result of scientific research leading by T.H.Talibov starting from 2011 Pteroflora of Nakhchivan was comprehensively researched.

In 2011-2013 years different expeditions was conducted to different regions of Nakhchivan, different fern species were collected and identified, taxanomically analysed and submitted to Herbarium fund of ANAS Nakhchivan branch. Das an outcome of analisys of the rich specimen materials one new familia, 3 genus and 4 species were identified for Nakhchivani flora.

Polypodiaceae Bercht. et J. Presi

According to literary datas, there are 63 genus and 1500 species of this familia. 5 species were found in Russia, 4 species in Caucasus, 2 species in Azerbaijan [2p.46, 6 p.14].

Polypodiaceae Bercht. et J. Presi familia is new for Nakhchivani flora. One specie of one genus was found in this region.

Polypodium L.

The genus is new for Nakhchivani flora. One of two species of genus in Azerbaijan was found in Nakhchivan.

Polypodium vulgare L.

Rhizome of the plant is lieing, covered with dark brown. Lengh of the leaves are 10-30 sm, parted, edges with or without teeth. There are taugh segments on it. Soruses are without cover, bless orange coloured. Spors grow on June-July [7 p.16].

This specie was collected on 12th of June 2013 from Kilit village, Ordubad region. Spread location includes 1486 m???? zone in the Soyuq Dag medows forest-bushes.

N 38º91.615', EO 46º10.390'. Plant grows between rocks surrounded by .... In the forest-bushes zone in the dominant formation of Betula Pendula Roth, mainly Celtis caucasica Willd., Rosa canina L., Jasminum fruticans L., Cotoneaster saxatilis Pojark., Lonicera iberica Bieb. are found. Sweetroot has been newly included to the herbarium fund of Bioresurses Institute of ANAS Nakhchivan branch.

This is a polimorphic specie, there are 2 subspecies and some biodiversity in Azerbaijan [3,5]. Research of specimens collected from Nakhchivan shows that they belong to P.vulgare sbspecie var.attenuatum Milde (typical for arid forest and bushes) and more xerophytes, with Europe-Caucasus areal, litophyl P. vulgare ssp.rotundatum (Milde) A. Askerov var. rotundatum Milde biodiversity [2,4].

References

1.     Talibov T.H., Ibrahimov A. S. Taxonomic spectrum of the flora Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Nakhchivan: Ajami NPB, 2008, 364 p. (Written in Azerbaijan)

2.     Àskerov A.M. Ferns of Caucasus. Baku: Science, 2001,244 p. (Written in Russian)

3.     Àskerov A.M. 1977. Pteridophyta of Azerbaijan. Bot. j.,1977, ¹7, ñ. 1022-1030 (Written in Russian)

4.     Askerov A.M., BobrovA.E. Systematics of some genera of ferns Talysh. Bot. j., 1972, ¹10, p. 1296-1300 (Written in Russian)

5.     Askerov A.M. Hymenocystis – endemic genus flora of the Caucasus. News. AN. Az. SSR,ser.b.s., Baku,1986, ¹3, p.52-55 (Written in Russian)

6.     Kiseleva K.V., Mayorov S.R., Novikov V.S. Flora midland Russia. Moskov ZAO «Fiton+» 2010, 544p. (Written in Russian)

7.     Flora Europaea volume 1: Psilotaceae to Platanaceae. Cambridge University press 1964, 1993, 571p.