Adonis tianschanica (Adolf) Lipsch. ex Bobrov

Kubentayev, Serik, Baasanmunkh, Shukherdorj, Alibekov, Daniyar, Son, Dong Chan, Tsegmed, Zagarjav, Myrzagaliyeva, Anar, Zhumagul, Moldir, Rustemova, Assel, Mukhtubayeva, Saule, Kubentayeva, Balsulu & Choi, Hyeok Jae, 2025, A taxonomic revision of Adonis (Ranunculaceae) in Kazakhstan, Italian Botanist 20, pp. 45-76 : 45-76

Adonis tianschanica (Adolf) Lipsch. ex Bobrov , Fl. URSS 7: 531 (1937)

Fig. 6

≡ Adonanthe tianschanica (Adolf) Chrtek & Slavíková in Preslia 50: 24 (1978)

≡ Adonis turkestanica var. tianschanica Adolf in Trudy Prikl. Bot. 23: 328 (1929–1930 publ. 1930)

≡ Chrysocyathus tianshanicus (Adolf) Holub in Preslia 70: 103 (1998)

Type.

Kazakhstan. Dzharkent, 31 May 1910, Michelson 852 ( Lectotype LE 01010373). [designated by L. Simonovicz].

General distribution.

China ( Xinjiang), Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan ( POWO 2025).

Distribution in Kazakhstan.

Dzungarian Alatau, Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau, Ketmen-Terskey Alatau.

Habitat and ecology.

This species grows on steppe slopes and subalpine meadows in the upper mountain belt.

Conservation status.

The estimated EOO is 32,636 km 2 and estimated AOO is 64 km 2. Therefore, the conservation status of A. tianschanica has been assessed near threatened. It is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan under category III ( Baitulin 2014).

Phenology.

Flowering in May – June; fruiting in June – July.

Chromosome number.

2 n = 16 ( Shlangena 1976; Rice et al. 2015).

Notes.

Based on the classification introduced by Wang (1994 a) A. tianschanica belongs to subg. Adonanthe (Spach) W. T. Wang sect. Adonanthe W. T. Wang ser. Apenninae Bobr. Adolf (1930) initially described the taxon as A. turkestanica var. tianschanicus Adolf ), based on specimens collected from the Dzharkent region of Kazakhstan ( Michelson 852, LE). It was later ranked as a distinct species by Bobrov (1937). Examination of specimens of A. turkestanica and A. tianschanicus revealed that A. tianschanicus differs from A. turkestanica primarily in having mostly ascending stems that branch from the base (although some are prostrate), oblanceolate leaf segments, and smaller flowers. Sennikov (2023) combined these two taxa into one species, Adonanthe turkestanica (Korsh.) Chrtek & Sláviková , according to priority, but previously synonymized A. leiosepala Butkov with Adonanthe tianschanica (Adolf) Chrtek et Sláviková ( Sennikov and Tojibaev 2021) . One reason for combining the two taxa was that, as noted by Kovalevskaya (1972), the two species do not differ in the herbarium. In addition, in 1964, L. Simonovich, when examining specimens of A. leiosepala Butkov from the Kyzyl-Nur Mountains, found that they were identical to A. tianschanica , which is distributed in Central Tien-Shan ( Evdokimov 1970). Moreover, the previously cited facts about the independence of the three species cannot be considered sufficient, as Evdokimov (1970) justified their independence by pointing out the differences in biological activity and anatomical characteristics, such as the characteristics of the epidermis, hair size, and the presence or absence of stomata. Furthermore, the oral report of A. P. Poschkurlat on the difference between A. lejospala and A. tianschanica in habitus, ecology, and character of leaf dissection cannot provide sufficient evidence to justify the independence of the two species ( Kovalevskaya 1972), as these characters cannot be reflected in a diagnostic manner. Previously, we investigated five cenopopulations of A. tianshanica located on the Ketmen Ridge, Dzungarian Alatau, and Terskey Alatau ( Kulymbet et al. 2023). The results of this study revealed low numbers of A. tianschanica individuals across all studied populations, likely due to low seed productivity, the absence of vegetative regeneration, and the influence of environmental factors and anthropogenic pressures, primarily livestock grazing.

Specimens examined.

Dzungarian Alatau: Kotyrkain Mountains, upper reaches of the Karagaily River , 27 May 1959, Goloskokov s. n. ( AA! LE!) ; Dzharkent Uezd, valley of the Kar-Kora [Qarqara] River between the fairground and the Chol’ - Adyr River , 22 Jun 1912, Sapozhnikov and Shishkin s. n. ( LE!) ; along the bank of the Taldy-Bulak River, left tributary of the Kegen , 19 Jun 1912, Sapozhnikov and Shishkin s. n. ( LE!) ; between Tsaritsynskoye [Budennovskoye] station and Kugaly station , 10 May 1912, Shishkin s. n. ( LE!) . Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau: Northeastern slopes of the mountains above the Kurmekty River , 15 May 1942, Lazarenko s. n. ( AA!) ; near Kurmekty, southeastern slopes , 4 May 1942, Lazarenko s. n. ( AA!) ; near the Karkara River, between the Cherganak [Shyrghanaq] River and the East Merke River , 30 Apr 1944, Kuschakewitsch s. n. ( LE!) ; near Terskey Alatau, Turgen Gorge , 11 May 1975, Sdobnina and Poschkurlat 8 ( LE!) . Ketmen-Terskey Alatau: Basin of the Kegen River , Jun 1969, Poschkurlat s. n. ( MW 0899183 !) ; near the middle course of the Kegen River , western extremity of the Shol-Adyr Mountains, 15 Aug 1946, Rubtzov and Stepanova s. n. ( AA!) ; steppe between Kegen and Saryzhaz , 15 May 1932, Lipschitz s. n. ( MW 0832011 !) ; valley of the Iri-su [Irsu] River , 20 Jun 1966, Boryaev s. n. ( MW 0832012 !) ; hills and foothills along the Irsu River , 3 Jun 1975, Lushpa s. n. ( AA!) ; near the eastern extremity of the Kungey Alatau ridge, valley of the Karkara River, along the Iri-su River, 3–4 km from the ford across the Karkara River , 1 Jun 1966, Boryaev s. n. ( AA!) .

Figures

Figure 6. Adonis tianschanica in Kazakhstan A general habit B flower, front view C aggregate fruit D leaves. (Photos by K. Kulymbet and S. Kubentayev).