Karelinia caspia (Gintzburger et al., 2003)
| Karelinia caspia (Gintzburger et al., 2003) |
Karelinia caspia (Pall.) Less.
Local name:
- Russian: Карелиния каспийская - karelinija kaspijskaja
- Turkmen: Ak-Bash, Kamak
- Kazakh: Ak-Bas
- Uzbek: Akhbash, Kamok
Chromosome number: 2n = 20 (Chuksanova et al. 1968b).
Description and morphology: Perennial, large plant (height 1–1.3 m). Stem: strong. Branched root system, penetrates deep into soil to depth 5–9 m. Leaves: large, fleshy sessile with entire margin. Inflorescence: singular, terminal, oblong-elongated, capitulum brown at maturity. Flowers: bisexual; numerous, pink-violet. Growth begins in the first half of April.
Reproduction: Flowering: June; dries off in July. Fruit: dry indehiscent achene.
Pastoral importance: Poor forage. Not grazed by cattle, consumed a little by sheep, goats and camels in winter. Can be used as silage in a mixture with Alhagi pseudalhagi and Cousinia decurrens. Yield 0.1–1.2 t /ha.
Habitat: Halo-xerophyte. Typical plant of damp saline environment. Grows on alluvial deposits, barren lands and margins of lake shores.
Distribution: Widespread in Middle Asia and Kazakhstan.