Plants of Crimea with information. Red Book of Crimea. Dangerous plants of Crimea - peony

Crimea can rightfully be called “little Australia”. Firstly, on this unique peninsula there are three climatic zones: temperate continental climate of steppes, mountain belt and subtropics of the southern coast. Secondly, a huge number of endemic plants grow here and many endemic animals live here. Thirdly, in a relatively small area (just over 26 thousand sq. km) there are about 50 salt lakes and 257 rivers.

The high Crimean mountains, the proximity of two seas at once - the Black and Azov, ancient cities - all this determined the uniqueness of the nature of Crimea.

Flora of Crimea

Flora Crimean peninsula very unusual and unique. Its diversity is amazing. Thus, there are over 2,500 plant species on the peninsula. For comparison: only 1,500 species of vegetation grow in the European part of Russia. In addition to endemics, there are many relict plants here - those that have not been modified for many millennia. A main feature Crimean flora is that it changes significantly from north to south.

In the north of Crimea, where the Kerch Peninsula is located, there is a kingdom of hilly steppes. Most of them are plowed under agricultural land. Only areas unsuitable for growing grain remained uncultivated: salt marshes, ravines, ravines, rocky plains. In this part of Crimea, cultivated plantings and grain crops predominate.

If we move south from here, we will find ourselves in the foothills zone, where the steppe gives way to forest-steppe. Linden, ash, mackerel, hornbeam, and a lot of juniper, pear, and hawthorn trees are more common here.

Even further south, the forest-steppe gradually develops into a strip of oak forests. Dubnyak, by the way, occupies more than 60% of the peninsula’s territory. Among the varieties, the most popular are sessile, downy, pedunculate oaks. The oak forests in Crimea are very light, sparse, with luxurious undergrowth and tall grass.

A little higher in the mountains there are rich beech forests. These mighty trees grow at an altitude of 700 to 1200 m above sea level. Beech forests amaze with their grandeur and silence. They are thick, dark, without undergrowth or grass, only a sea of ​​fallen leaves envelops the roots of the trees. And only on the very peaks of the Crimean Mountains are beech trees small and gnarled. And here they are often interspersed with hornbeams.

Thickets have been preserved in rocky, damp places yew berry- a relict tree preserved from the Tertiary period.

However, the very peaks of the Crimean Mountains are usually called yayla. Yayla is a chain of unique table-like flat peaks connected by deep passes. Once upon a time there were beautiful pastures with lush grass and meadow plants. Most of the Crimean endemics grow on yayla.

And further to the south the descent to the sea begins, and the flora in these places is simply amazing with its bright greenery and diversity. On the southern slopes of the mountains, beech forests are replaced by pine forests. Even further south begins the shibliak belt (sparse tree-shrub forests), where fluffy oaks, junipers, pistachios, strawberries, Pontic larch, dense thickets of dogwood and thorny trees are found.

But it should be noted that on the southern coast of Crimea shiblyak has been preserved in its original form only in some places: in Laspi Bay, on capes Martyan, Aya. Basically, this part of the peninsula has undergone significant changes due to human activity. It is here that all the health resorts and resorts of Crimea are located, and 80% of the plants in this part of the peninsula are imported. But many have been growing here for centuries. For example, birch is an extremely atypical tree for Crimea. It was brought here from Russia only some 200-250 years ago.

In total, the area of ​​Crimean parks stretches over 2 thousand hectares. Here you can already find exotic plants brought to the peninsula from all over the world: cypresses, figs, crocuses, almonds, over 20 thousand species of orchids, ferns, tulips and cyclamens.

Animal world of Crimea

The unique geographical location of the peninsula also determined the uniqueness of the fauna. There are many endemic animals in Crimea, but at the same time animal world represented much more poorly than, for example, even in neighboring regions of Russia and Ukraine.

Research has shown that ostriches and giraffes once lived in Crimea. Then, with climate change, they moved to the peninsula reindeer and arctic foxes. Thus, the fauna of the peninsula is an amazing conglomerate of the most diverse different types, many of which have adapted to local habitat conditions.

The ichthyofauna is richly represented: there are over 200 species of marine fish, many live permanently, more than 50 species are in “transit”, traveling along the coast of Crimea to the Bosphorus. IN fresh waters Zoologists have counted 46 species of fish in lakes and rivers, with 14 species being “natives”. The rest, such as carp, pike perch, perch, crucian carp, silver carp, grass carp, were brought and perfectly acclimatized in the Crimea.

Of the amphibians, the most common are lake and tree frogs, toads and newts. And of the 14 species of Crimean reptiles, only steppe viper. Lots of snakes, copperheads, yellow-bellied snakes, four-striped snakes and leopard snakes. Only one species of turtle lives in Crimea - marsh turtles. They inhabit mainly mountain reservoirs. But there are 6 species of lizards at once, among which the most common are Crimean, rock and sand lizards.

There are more than 200 species of birds in Crimea. More than 60% of them nest on the peninsula, about 17 species fly to the peninsula for the winter. Large predator birds chose mountainous areas for habitat. These are eagles, ospreys, imperial eagle, golden eagles, vultures, black vultures, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, eagle owls, saker falcons, and griffon vultures. In the floodplains of river valleys there are waders, larks, and quails; in the steppe there are bustards and little bustards. On the coast of Crimea you can see pelicans. But mainly seabirds live here: gulls, terns, ducks, geese, gray herons, cormorants. And on the swan islands you can see a huge number of species of swans.

As for mammals, there are about 60 species in Crimea. They live mainly in nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and mountainous areas. Their predators include weasels, foxes, badgers, and martens. Hares and ferrets live in the steppes and forests. Red deer live in mountainous areas and foothills. wild boars. Fallow deer and mouflons were introduced recently; attempts are being made to revive the population of these animals, but so far to no avail. Once upon a time, wolves also lived in Crimea, but the last of the wolf tribe disappeared at the beginning of the last century.

On the coast of Crimea there are 4 representatives of marine animals: monk seals and three species of dolphins.

Climate in Crimea

The range of the Crimean mountains protects the peninsula from air masses coming from the continent, and therefore south coast tropical climate persists warm summer, hot sun, plenty of greenery and warm sea water.

Spring in Crimea is incredibly beautiful and varied. Heavy rains and fogs are often replaced by clear, sunny days. Already opening in May swimming season. Summer is not hot, as sea breezes significantly cool the air. The temperature “ceiling” is observed at the height of July, when the air warms up to +36°C +38°C.

Until mid-October, warm autumn reigns on the coast - sunny, velvety. And only at the end of December winter sets in - not cold, often with above-zero temperatures, rain and very rare snowfalls. But in the mountains, winter reigns with might and main, sweeping up tall snowdrifts. In the mountainous regions of Crimea, winter lasts 100-120 days.

It is known that there are many plants mentioned in the Bible. Some of them are widespread in Russia - wheat, barley, apple, daffodil, lily, sloe, wormwood, etc. Others can only be found in the south, including while vacationing in Crimea. The botanical identity of some is obvious, while others are still debated. For example, no one knows what kind of gopher this is from which Noah built his ark; some translate this word as acacia, others as Lebanese cedar, and still others as cypress. Therefore, we will not claim that all the plants mentioned in the article are exactly those that the authors of the Bible had in mind, but this does not make them any less interesting.

Which plants from the Bible grow in Crimea?

Fig tree(fig, fig). This plant is mentioned more than once in the Bible. It was fig leaves that Adam and Eve covered themselves with after they ate the forbidden fruit and realized that nakedness was not good. Jesus cursed this same tree near Jerusalem for lack of fruit.

The fig is ripening

In Crimea, figs feel great on South Coast and in Sevastopol, in places it has gone wild and grows on its own. In other parts of the peninsula it has to be covered for the winter. Locals make excellent jam from figs, be sure to try it!

Lebanese cedar, mentioned in the Bible 75 times. For example, his bark prophet Moses ordered the rabbis to treat leprosy and disinfect circumcision wounds. It was used in the construction of the Jerusalem temples and may have been used to build Noah's Ark.

Primorsky Boulevard, Sevastopol

In Crimea, it can be found in almost all southern coastal parks and just on the streets.

Burning bush(fraxinella). Careless tourists will remember their encounter with this plant forever. The point is that touching it beautiful flower You can’t smell it either, otherwise the next day bubbles will appear on the affected areas, as if from a burn, which will soon burst and expose bare flesh.

Yasenets near the Black River near Sevastopol

This plant is called unburnt for its interesting property - its fruits contain essential oils, and in such quantities that if, during the period of seed ripening in sunny, windless weather, you bring a match to the bush, the air around it will flare up for a second, and the plant will remain unharmed. Not all researchers agree that it is the ash tree that is mentioned in the Bible. They remind you that the bush there had thorns, which the ash tree does not have.

olive tree(European or cultivated olive, European olive, olive tree) On the southern coast of Crimea there are old olive groves that look as if they were planted in biblical times:

Olive grove in Nikitsky botanical garden

This useful oilseed plant was apparently brought here along with grapes by ancient Greek settlers.

Olive trees in the park of the sanatorium named after. Aivazovsky in Partenit

In the Bible, olives, the tree itself, flowers, fruits, olive oil are mentioned both directly and allegorically. For example, King David owned olive gardens; oil was and is added to the ointment. A dove brings an olive branch to Noah, thereby showing that the flood is ending. She is held in the hands of the Archangel Gabriel, telling the Virgin Mary the good news.

Palm. The inhabitants of Jerusalem greeted Jesus Christ with palm branches. John the Theologian saw the saints before the throne of God with palm branches in their hands. On the southern coast of Crimea there are many palm alleys and separately growing trees. They tolerate short-term frosts and even snowfalls well.

Palm trees in Gurzuf, in the Pushkino sanatorium

In the Nikitsky Botanical Garden you can admire a whole collection of these heat-loving plants:

One of the palm groves of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden

Moreover, the palmaria is expanding and in recent years many new species have been planted.

One of the corners of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden

Grape. Only the olive tree is found more often than this plant in the Bible. Raisins, grapevines, wine, and vineyards are mentioned in the Holy Book in connection with a variety of events.

Grapes variety "Moldova"

For example, King David takes raisins on the road, and receives them from Abigail along with other gifts. Jesus on the cross is smeared with a sponge soaked in sour wine. Grapes are often used figuratively, for example, identifying Christ with the true vine, and his followers with its branches.

Old vineyard near the village of Chernorechye

Grapes have been grown in Crimea almost since biblical times, and therefore many autochthonous varieties have been preserved here, and there are also wines made from them, for example, the famous “Black Doctor”.

New vineyard in the vicinity of the village. Angular

Hyssop is mentioned in the Bible 12 times and each time it is associated with some rituals that help to cleanse, whiten, protect, or anesthetize something. Now this phytoncidal plant is also used for medicinal and culinary purposes, and simply decorates the streets of southern cities. In Crimea, it can be found in a variety of places, in parks, squares, and flower beds.

Hyssop blooms

Juniper mentioned in the Bible in connection with the life of the prophet Elijah, who rests under it, and then finds food under it. Again, researchers argue whether it was definitely a juniper or the translation is incorrect, and if it is a juniper, then what kind?

Junipers at Cape Sarych

Various types of junipers grow in Crimea, some of them are listed in the Red Book, so when buying products from its wood, tourists either pander to poachers or acquire fakes - products from other wood, soaked in pine oils.

Juniper right on the rock - a typical Crimean picture

Saffron(crocus) is mentioned in Scripture only once - in the Old Testament in the Book of Song of Solomon in the list of aromatic plants next to spikenard, calamus, cinnamon and myrrh.

Crocus - one of the Crimean snowdrops

In Crimea it can be found everywhere, in forests, on city lawns, in front gardens local residents. Its delicate flowers can also be found in autumn - these colchicums:

Autumn saffron on Omega beach in Sevastopol

And these crocuses were taken at the Baydarsky Pass, where they, together with bright blue woods, bloom in early spring in mountain forests under the crowns of trees that have not yet bloomed:

Saffron on the Baydar Pass

Cypress mentioned 7 times in the Bible. For example, in the Old Testament in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord promises to open springs and plant the desert with plants - cedar, myrtle, olive, cypress, sycamore... Nowadays it is impossible to imagine Crimean landscapes without these dark green candles. It’s hard to believe that they were created not by nature, but by people - they were brought out by the ancient Greeks from the local wild form with horizontal branches. Most likely, the authors of the Bible had this in mind.

Alley of old cypress trees in Simeiz

In Crimea, pyramidal cypress was resettled twice. First, he arrived here with Greek settlers in the 1st millennium BC, and when they practically abandoned the peninsula, gradually the cypress trees also disappeared - the old ones died over time, and no one was involved in breeding new ones. After the annexation of Crimea to Russia in the 18th century, this phytoncidal plant was brought back again.

Judas tree(Purpleberry or Cercis europaea, Judea tree). Once upon a time it was brought to Crimea as an ornamental crop, but it went wild and now often grows on its own, especially in Sevastopol and its environs. Its main feature is that flowers bloom not only at the ends of the branches, but also directly on the trunks.

Flowers on the trunk of the Judah tree

There are two versions of the appearance of this name. According to the first, it was on its branches that Judas Iscariot hanged himself, according to the other, the homeland of this plant is Judea, and it was named after him.

The crimson flower is fading - Tree of Judah

By the way, there are many versions of how Judas hanged himself. This is an aspen, because of which its foliage still trembles with horror, a birch, whose trunk has turned white with fear, an alder, the wood of which, supposedly, has since acquired a reddish color, elderberry, rowan, etc. In general, almost every nation has its own version.

Adam's apple(Orange or apple-bearing maclura, false orange, inedible, Indian or Chinese orange, dye mulberry). This plant was brought to Europe from North America as an ornamental crop. First of all, its inedible but unusual fruits, reminiscent of balls, attract attention. tennis. They are also green, have an uneven surface and can reach 15 cm in diameter, but usually about 10 cm.

Maclura on a branch

You can admire them at any Crimean market. Although the Crimeans themselves do not use this plant in any way, they are happy to sell its fruits to gullible tourists as a panacea for all diseases. According to legend, it is this inedible and even poisonous fruit, and not tasty apple, convinced Adam and Eve to try the cunning Serpent. According to another version, God, in anger, turned the fruits of the Tree of Knowledge into these inedible balls.

Pomegranate(Pomegranate, Pomegranate tree). Everyone has tried the fruits of this tree, but few northerners have seen how it grows (except on window sills, decorative varieties). Crimea provides such an opportunity, although even here it is a little cold, so the easiest way to see this exoticism is in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, which is located on the South Coast, in a place with the mildest climate.

Ripe pomegranates in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden

In the Bible, the pomegranate, or rather its fruit, the pomegranate apple, is mentioned several times. In particular, there is a version that Eve, seduced by the Serpent, treated Adam to a pomegranate apple, and not to the nasty mackerel.

There is a lot of mistletoe in Crimea. In summer it is almost invisible, but in winter its balls, covering trees that have long shed their own foliage in green, are visible from afar.



End of April/May - most best time to visit Crimea. It’s not very hot yet, the greenery has not faded, there are no crowds of people like in the summer.
But the main attraction of this time is the flowers.

Below are photographs and descriptions of Crimean flowers taken in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008, during the May holidays (late April/early May). Mainly represented are the Bakhchisarai, Yalta and Sudak regions of Crimea.

SLEEP-GRASS, CRIMEAN ARROW (Pulsatilla taurica)

He's a snow tulip, he's a little sunny, he's a grass-grass, he's a boar's lumbago, he's a shooter, he's a raspberry, he's a beaver.
Grows in mountains, oak forests, mountain meadows, steppe areas of foothills and rocky slopes.
The most beautiful spring Crimean flower- you can admire it and photograph it endlessly.
Listed in the Red Book of Ukraine



Dream-Grass. May 2005 Chatyr-Dag

Dream-Grass. May 2005 Chatyr-Dag

Dream-Grass. April 2004 Chatyr-Dag

Dream-Grass. 2.05.03 Yalta yayla

Dream-Grass. May 2005 Chatyr-Dag



Dream-Grass. 5.05.07 Hangar-Burun

FOLDED SNOWDROP (Galanthus plicatus M. Bieb.)

Folded snowdrop (Galanthus plicatus) is a species that differs from other species in folded leaves with a bluish bloom, with folds curved on the underside.
Previously considered as an endemic Crimean species, however, habitats of folded snowdrop have now been identified in the Caucasus, Turkey, Romania and Moldova.
Listed in the Red Book of Ukraine



4.05.07 Not far from the t/s "Boyko"

Snowdrop. May 2005 Chatyr-Dag

Snowdrop. 1.05.03 Grand Canyon

Scilla bifolia L.

Aka Crimean scilla (Scilla taurica (Regel) Fuss), aka snow scilla (Scilla nivalis Boiss.). Glades overgrown with blueberries mixed with snowdrops look very beautiful.

Scilla. 2.05.03 Climbing the Roman-Kosh mountain

CRIMEAN CROCUS (Crocus tauricus (Trautv.) Puring)

It is also Crimean saffron. Endemic Crimean-Caucasian species. It grows in the mountains on open rocky places and grassy slopes. Listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Crimean crocus.4.05.07 Not far from Ai-Petri

Crimean crocus.1.05.03 Yalta yayla

PRIMULA (Primula)Primula

It grows in the southern regions of the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, Crimea, Southern and Central Europe. The species is similar to spring primrose, but with an undeveloped flower arrow. Flowering from April. The plant is cold-resistant and blooms on the edge of the snow.
The ancient Greeks believed that the primrose could heal all ailments and called it “the flower of the twelve gods.”

In the old German sagas, primroses are the keys of the spring goddess Freya. With the help of these keys, the beautiful goddess, adorned with a necklace of colorful rainbow, reveals real warmth after a long winter. Wherever her rainbow hits, golden keys appear, and spring flowers sprout from them - primroses.

The Danes are sure that the princess of the elves herself was turned into a primrose. One day the spirits released the girl to earth, and there she fell in love with the young man, forgetting about her relatives. For this, the spirits turned the princess into a primrose and her lover into an anemone.

In Rus', primroses were lovingly called lambs. There was even such a custom: to throw the plucked lambs under your feet and trample them - for longevity.

The British have the primrose as their favorite flower. It is grown in gardens and vegetable gardens, taken with them on trips, and given to loved ones. By English fairy tales, gnomes hide in primroses, and if you go out into a clearing in the spring, you can hear a choir of gentle voices coming from the flowers.

Common primrose (Primula vulgaris) or stemless (Primula acaulis) April 2004. District of the Boyko t/s

Road overgrown with primroses. 04/26/03 from Eski-Kermen to Shuldan

Primula Sibthorpii (Primula sibthorpii)25.04.03 Near Eski-Kermen

Common primrose.04.25.03 near the Red Poppy

VIOLETS

There are many different ones in Crimea. Particularly beautiful and large ones are found on yailas. Yellow and blue look very nice.

Dog violet (Viola canina)25.04.03 near Eski-Kermen

Fragrant violet (Viola odorata)25.04.03 near Eski-Kermen



Mountain violet (Viola oreades Bieb.) April 2004 Ai-Petri yayla

Mountain violet (Viola oreades Bieb.) April 2004 Ai-Petri yayla

Glade of violets. April 2004 Eski-Kermen

KUPENA fragrant (Polygonatum odoratum)

She is also bought medicinal, bought pharmaceutical (Polygonatum officinale L.), she is also Solomon's seal. It grows on drying, slightly acidic, rich, humus-rich, loose, mostly shallow, sandy, rocky and clayey soils: in forests, bushes and slopes. Edge-forest view. The plant is poisonous.

Kupena is fragrant. April 2004 Eski-Kermen

POPPY (Papaver dubium L.)

Doubtful poppy is an annual herbaceous plant 30-60 cm high. It blooms in April-June. Grows on dry rocky, gravelly, clayey slopes, among bushes, on sand, in forest-steppe and steppe, in fields, near roads, in mountains up to the mid-mountain zone. Poisonous.

Poppy is dubious. April 2004 p. Red poppy

IBERIAN, WALL (Iberis)

The name of the plant indicates the area of ​​​​natural distribution: Iberia, as Spain was previously called. The genus contains about 40 species, distributed in the Mediterranean and Central Europe.

Iberian forms thick round cushions, which during the flowering period, in April-May, seem to be dusted with snow due to the lilac-white flowers. In Crimea they live in rocky places, in the mountains, on the South Coast.

There are rocky Iberian (Ib.saxatilis), Crimean Iberian (Ib. taurica), very rarely - bitter Iberian (Ib.amara) and pinnate Iberian (Ib.pinnata). These types differ mainly in leaf shape.

Candytuft. 1.05.03 Great Crimean Canyon

Ornithogalum fimbriatum Willd
He is also a fibrous poultry plant, he is also a ciliated poultry plant.
Grows in forests along the edges, in the steppes, on yayls. From the subgenus Ornithogalum. Plants no more than 12 cm tall. The arrow is covered with hairs. Blooms in mid-spring, up to 15 days.

Poultry farmer. April 2003 Vetrov Gazebo area

THIN-LEAF PEONY Paeonia tenuifolia L. (P. lithophila Kotov, P. biebersteiniana Rupr.)

It is also a narrow-leaved peony. Herbaceous perennial up to 50 cm in height. Grows on meadow steppes, leached black soils, and mountain slopes. Blooms in May. Listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Peony thin-leaved. April 2004 and 5.05.07 On the climb to Chatyr-Dag

Peony thin-leaved. April 2004 Chatyr-Dag

Thickets of thin-leaved peony 04/29/08 Slopes of Lyalel-Oba

CRIMEAN PEONY (Paeonia daurica)

Aka Tauride peony (Paeonia taurica auct.), aka three-triple peony (Paeonia triternata) Endemic to Crimea. It grows in light forests, typically in the undergrowth of oak forests. It occurs en masse at altitudes from 200 meters to the upper forest boundary. Blooms in May. Listed in the Red Book of Ukraine



Crimean peony. April 2004 Eski-Kermen

MUSCARI (Muscari neglectum Guss)

He's the unnoticed viper onion, he's also the mouse hyacinth.
Low, up to 15 cm tall, bulbous perennial of the lily family.
It grows in sunny rocky meadows and on the edges of forests. Often forms a continuous blue carpet. Blooms in April-May.



Muscari. End of April 2004 Chatyr-Dag



Muscari. 04/25/03 Eski-Kermen

Dwarf IRIS (Iris pumila) OR CRIMEAN IRIS (Iris taurica. Iridaceae)

Aka low iris, aka dwarf iris.
Herbaceous perennial 10-20 cm in height. It grows in the steppes, on grassy slopes, on rocky and thin soils, at altitudes from 300 to 700 m above sea level, less often it descends to 50 m and rises to 900-1000 m.


Purple and yellow irises 04/29/08 Slopes of Lalel-Oba

Dwarf iris. April 2004 Eski Kermen

Dwarf irises. 04/25/03 near the village. Red poppy

ORIENTAL AROUS (Arum orientale Bieb., A. maculatum auct.)

A relict species, it belongs to one of the oldest genera of tropical origin in Ukraine. Perennial herbaceous plant 20-30cm high. Grows in shady forests. Very specific smell. Blooms in May. Listed in the Red Book of Ukraine

Eastern arum. April 2004 near the Shuldan monastery

SCHRENK'S TULIP(Tulipa schrenkii Regel)

Also known as Gesner's tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L.). Plants are 10-40 cm tall. Stem b. h. naked, sometimes pubescent. The leaves are recurved, sickle-shaped, spaced, more or less curly, glabrous or pubescent, not exceeding the flower. One flower, red or yellow. The tepals are relatively short, wide, and blunt. The spot at their base is black, with a yellow border, yellow or absent. Blooms in April. It grows mainly in the steppe Crimea, as well as in the foothills and on the South Coast.


Schrenk's Tulip 04/29/08 Slopes of Lyalel-Oba (translated from Crimean Tatar as “top of tulips”)

LOW ALMOND (Amygdalus nana L.)

He is also a bean tree, he is also a dwarf almond, he is also a steppe almond.
It grows in the zone of forb-meadow steppes, in hollows, along ravines, and gullies.

Thickets of dwarf almonds. 04/29/08 not far from the t/s "Ai-Serez"

ADONIS SPRING (Adonis vernalis L.)

He is also the spring adonis, he is also the spring adonis. Blooms in May
in the steppes, along the edges of forests, in cleared forest glades, steppe slopes, meadows. A very bright and beautiful flower.

Adonis in spring. 04/29/08 Upper reaches of the Ai-Serez river

YELLOW ASPHODELINE Asphodeline Lutea (L.) Reichend

Rare endangered Eastern Mediterranean species. Herbaceous perennial with a thick, tall, up to 60 cm, stem. The stem from the base to the inflorescence is covered with dagger-shaped, triangular fleshy leaves. The flower raceme is thick, long and consists of large greenish-yellow flowers up to 2.5 cm in diameter. The tepals have a characteristic green vein. After flowering, a fruit is formed - a large capsule. Listed in the Red Book of Ukraine

Yellow asphodeline (Asphodeline lutea) 04/29/08 t/s Maski in Ukraine is found only in Crimea

ORCHIDS(Orchidaceae)

Wild orchids are the most wonderful flowers of the spring Crimea.
According to various sources, 20-39 species of orchids grow in Crimea. All are listed in the Red Book. The population of wild orchids is small and continues to decline, mainly due to deforestation and destruction of flowers for bouquets.
Mostly orchises (purple, monkey) are found; I was lucky to stumble upon the rare Crimean orchis, of which only a few specimens remain.

04/27/08 Fox Bay. Painted orchis (spotted) (Orchis picta Loisel.)

Crimean Ophrys taurica Nevski

Orchis simia Lam.

Orchis purpurea Huds.

Orchis punctulata

Wolf's orchis Orchis x wulffiana and Steveniella satyrioides Schlechter

Orchis April 2004

Wonderful resources were used in preparing the material:
1) http://www.plantarium.ru Plant identification guide on-line
An open illustrated atlas of vascular plants of Russia and neighboring countries.
2) http://family-travel.narod.ru/flora/flora.html Photoherbarium. Wild plants of Crimea.
3) http://mail.menr.gov.ua/publ/redbook/redbook.php Chervona book of Ukraine.

Yaroslav Kuznetsov ©2009

In Russia, the Red Book is usually called a reference book in which rare plants and rare animals are listed. Each Russian region has its own rare plants and endangered species animals. Every corner of our huge country writes its own Red Book (RC). When plants and animals are brought into the CC, they are heavily protected. The Crimean Red Book was founded in the late eighties of the last century.

This book includes unique representatives of the flora and fauna of the Crimean peninsula. Nowadays, this list of rare animals and plants of Crimea is constantly updated with new endangered species. Crimea is a truly unique place; Some plants and representatives of the animal world that are located on the territory of the peninsula are not found anywhere else in Russia.

How they are included in the Red Book

Any CC is, in fact, a directory of rare, endangered representatives of local flora and fauna. Depending on the region, this may include different quantities species. In some regions there are quite a lot of endangered species, in others there are much fewer. In many ways, this depends on the level of development of technological progress, on the presence of large industrial enterprises in the region, on the level of pollution environment. Representatives local flora and fauna are included in this list if:

  • The plant or animal is rare;
  • A representative of flora or fauna is an endangered species;
  • The plant or animal is in danger of destruction;
  • Rare plants and animals have great practical benefits for humans (for example, when it comes to medicinal plants or fur-bearing animals).

Crimea also has its own CC. Now that Crimea has become part of Russia, representatives of endangered species of Crimean flora and fauna are under the protection of Russian environmental protection agencies. public organizations. The targeted destruction of rare animals and plants of Crimea is punishable in accordance with Russian legislation.

In the KK of Crimea, as in the books of other Russian regions, there are several sections. It presents endangered and rare medicinal and ornamental plants, insects, mammals, reptiles and reptiles. It also includes rare bird species. You can get acquainted with the CC of Crimea on the Internet; you can also borrow a paper version of the book at any local library.

Visually, it looks like a thick book with a hard red cover. Inside contains descriptions of endangered and rare representatives Crimean flora and fauna. Each description looks like this: name (both Russian name and official scientific name in Latin) , photography and brief information about this type. For ease of use, the book is divided into sections and headings, in accordance with families, classes, subgroups of animals and plants.

Listing rare plants and animals as endangered helps draw public attention to their rapid decline. QC is a great way to remind people that Live nature native land requires careful attitude. A person must be a reasonable master of nature, but not a tyrant or despot. Otherwise, the consequences human activity may turn out to be unpredictable.

Goals and objectives

The CC of Crimea was first created shortly before the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. At that time, the peninsula was part of the Ukrainian Republic. IN Soviet time Crimea was actively developing. New industrial enterprises were built in the city, and the tourism infrastructure was rapidly developing. On the one hand, these the changes had a positive impact on the regional economy: new jobs have appeared in Crimea, the standard of living has improved on the peninsula. But, on the other hand, man-made activity, combined with the rapid development of scientific and technological progress, always has a negative impact on the state of living nature.

Also, the intensive development of tourism contributed to some extent to the disappearance of rare species. Protected corners of nature, where no human had ever set foot before, have become accessible to numerous vacationers. Numerous recreation centers have sprung up in the protected corners of the peninsula, like mushrooms after rain. Tourists vacationing at these bases did not always behave correctly towards wildlife. In order to correct this situation, it was created Red Book of the Crimea Peninsula. Botanists and zoologists set themselves the following goals and objectives:

  • Protect endangered species of animals and plants living on the peninsula from complete extinction;
  • Contribute to increasing the population of rare species of animals and plants;
  • Draw public attention to environmental problems peninsula;
  • Inform the population of the peninsula about the need for careful and attentive attitude towards rare species.

The main task of the creators was to protect the local nature from negative influence human activity. Botanists and zoologists coped with this task brilliantly. Over the past twenty years, it has been reprinted and expanded several times.

Studying it is included in the official curriculum of the school biology course in regional secondary schools. also in local schools Special “nature lessons” are held periodically. During such lessons, students of primary and secondary school age get acquainted with the Crimean Culture and learn to take care of the nature of their native land.

The Crimean Peninsula is located on the shores of the Black Sea, therefore, not only animals, birds and plants are officially included in the local book, but also fish, marine animals and rare seaweeds that are actively used for treatment various diseases. This book also includes rare rodents living exclusively in the Crimea.

Rare animals of Crimea

Many rare animals live in Crimea. These are animals of different species. In the local book you can find such representatives of the local fauna as:

  • Reptiles;
  • Amphibians;
  • Reptiles:
  • Mammals.

Among the animals various reasons included in the CC of Crimea - various rare species of toads and rodents, as well as endangered species of reptiles, such as the pit viper and yellow snake. Viper venom is used as a medicine, and the mass extermination of vipers has led to the fact that there are fewer and fewer of these snakes left. Perhaps bringing attention to this situation will help correct this problem.

The local book also includes a large number rare birds, for example, a crane. The disappearance and extinction of many bird species is largely due to the massive development of hunting as a way of active recreation.

Animals of different species are usually officially recognized as rare or endangered due to and purposeful human activity aimed at the destruction of these species (hunting, fishing, making medicines from poison secreted by animals). Also, some species of plants and animals die due to the fact that their habitat is gradually changing (for example, recreation centers for tourists are being built in previously secluded places).

Plants

Many rare plant species are listed in Crimea. The following types of plants included in it can be distinguished:

  • Medicinal;
  • Poisonous;
  • Ornamental plants(flowers and herbs);
  • Plants that are actively used as animal feed.

Poisonous plants (such as belladonna) tend to disappear because people deliberately destroy them. Medicinal plants disappear due to the fact that they are massively harvested as a medicinal raw material local herbalists. Ornamental plants are quite often destroyed by tourists. Plants that feed wild and domestic animals are also rapidly disappearing, especially if the number of animals that feed on this plant is actively growing.

Rare plants are gradually disappearing, mainly due to the fact that their usual habitat is gradually changing and disappearing. To prevent the complete disappearance of rare varieties of Crimean plants, the optimal solution would be to create special greenhouses and winter gardens. The main thing is to create suitable conditions for plants, close to natural ones. It is also necessary to regularly inform tourists about the need for adequate behavior in nature. A tourist living at a recreation center or hiking in the protected corners of the Crimean peninsula must know for sure: in nature, it is strictly forbidden to pick flowers and break trees, and you can make fires only in specially designated places.

Where else can you learn about rare plants and animals of Crimea

Regional government of the Crimean peninsula, with the support of local environmental non-profit organizations and with government support Russian Federation, is actively promoting respect for the nature of his native land. Thematic events are regularly held for children and adults aimed at getting to know their native nature and studying local flora and fauna.

You can learn about endangered species of wildlife on the Crimean peninsula not only from the Red Book. This information can also be obtained from specialized literature on botany and zoology. Propaganda protection of native nature actively carried out in Crimean funds mass media. Local environmental organizations actively work with young people aimed at preserving and enhancing the natural resources of their native land.

The Red Book of Crimea is a unique reference book on botany and zoology. From it you can not only learn about rare species local animals and birds, but also find out what impact human activities have on the state of nature in the region. Studying the Book is a fun activity. Information will make people think about saving unique flora and fauna Crimea, as well as neutralizing the destructive influence of humans on wildlife.

  • Go to: Guide to Crimea

Rich and varied vegetable world Crimea, and the list of wild plants of the peninsula includes more than 2,500 species. Interestingly, about 90% of all plant species are found in the mountainous Crimea. In addition, about 1,500 plant species are acclimatized in Crimea.

47 species of plants growing on the peninsula are included in the Red Book. The abundance of endangered species in itself is evidence of the threatening situation in which they find themselves as a result of the excessive recreational load on the Crimean nature.

A peculiarity of the Crimean landscapes is that here typical Central European plants coexist with Mediterranean plants and people from Western Asia. Some relict plants from the pre-glacial period have been preserved on the peninsula, such as small-fruited strawberry, tall juniper, and Comperia compera orchid). In Crimea, 142 plant species are endemic, i.e. they are not found anywhere except the Crimean Peninsula.

Butcher's broom - this exotic Mediterranean plant exists on a narrow strip of the South Coast, and here its habitat is very small. It has tough dark green leaves and red berries that can be seen even in winter. And the fact that the butcher's broom is very similar to leaves is special flat branches. The real leaves are located in the center of these plates and are almost invisible. It got its name - butcher's broom - for its thorniness. Therefore, solid “pillows” of butcher’s broom, which can sometimes be found under trees, resemble special type a wire on which someone specially strung orange and red berry balls.

Beech forests are the darkest and most mysterious. Only very shade-loving plants grow under the canopy of a beech forest, since weak leaves make their way through the dense canopy of leaves. green light: Beech leaves create an almost impenetrable “roof”. In the beech forest, lush ferns make their way here and there, reminiscent of the prehistoric forest of the Carboniferous period with its ferns, horsetails and mosses... And in places where crystal clear water gushes among boulders directly from the ground, you can find an unnaturally bright green carpet of saturated moisture of moss.

The strawberry trunk seems to be dressed in suede instead of bark. Small-fruited strawberry, or also called coral tree, is the only evergreen deciduous tree in the flora of Crimea. The leathery leaves of the strawberry can withstand even the snow that falls on the South Coast. Young strawberry trees are hardly noticeable, but in Crimea there are giant strawberry trees that are hundreds of years old.

In the dilapidated stone walls of Chersonesus, sometimes you come across strange bouquets of berries growing right from the walls, sometimes resembling a very beautiful beard of a forester... This is ephedra, which is so unlike any other plant that it is the only one in our flora that forms a separate family of Ephedras. Ephedra has no leaves, only twigs that resemble a beard.

There are 47 orchid species in Crimea, about 20 of which are found in Laspi Bay. Crimean orchids like gems: small, but they have no price, and the rarest of them is Compera’s comperia. Once upon a time, a botany lover, the Frenchman Compere, who had an estate in Laspi, discovered this species. Comperia flowers are pinkish-brown, and each flower appears to thin out, ending in thin threads. Apart from Crimea, this flower is found only in some areas of Asia Minor. Other Crimean orchids have interesting names: orchis, lyubka, dremlik; ofris, whose flowers look like bumblebees.

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