Paeonia tenuifolia L. and Paeonia biebersteiniana (Rupr.) monitoring in nature and culture

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to monitor rare species of narrow–leaved peony (Raeopia tenuifolia L.) and Biberstein peony (R. biebersteiniana (Rupr.) in places of natural growth – at the foot of Mount Strizhament and on the western slope of the Nedremanny ridge (from the side of the farm of the Novokavkaz Stavropol Territory) (in 2008–2022) – and culture. Monitoring showed that the composition and structure of the steppe cenosis were changed by grazing farm animals, digging and collecting bouquets. The initial stage of pasture degression occurs. The population of the narrow – leaved peony varies from 10 to 25 pcs/m². At the same time, the total number of the species is decreasing. The age spectrum is changing towards a decrease in young plants, in particular juvenile plants, more plants are in the generative phase. Seedlings and young plants decreased by half during the observations – from 38 to 19%, at that time no prussic individuals were found. The population is still self-regenerating due to annual seed-bearing. The occurrence of Biberstein peony plants is from 3 to 19 pcs/m². The population is also self–healing, the projective coverage is up to 80%. But there is also a tendency to decrease the proportion of young plants due to uncontrolled grazing (the foot of Mount Strizhament) and annual haymaking (the western slope of the Nedremanny ridge from the side of the Novokavkazsky farm). The narrow-leaved peony and the Biberstein peony are resistant to diseases and pests in the conditions of culture, reproduce vegetatively and by seeds, retain habit, and are very promising for gardening.