Ex situ conservation of some endemic and protected plant species in Georgia

Summary: Ecological and biological characteristics of eight, endemic, economically important, Georgian Red Data species (Convallaria transcaucasica Utkin ex Grossh., Cyclamen colchicum (Albov) Albov, Dioscorea caucasica Lipsky, Erythronium caucasicum Woronow, Gymnospermium smirnowii (Trautv.) Takht., Iris iberica Hoffm, Paeonia mlokosewitschii Lomak and Tulipa eichleri Regel) were studied. The current status of wild populations was assessed throughout their distributional area; exact locations of target populations were recorded using GPS, and fertility and vitality of individual populations were evaluated. Structural aspects of seed formation were studied, reproduction capacity was calculated, and the ratio of seed production (actual seed-forming capacity) to the number of ovules (potential seed-forming capacity) was determined. Optimum periods for the collection of mature seeds were identified for each target species. Seed germinability, sprouting capacity and potential for seedling development were tested experimentally in the laboratory on Petri dishes, in pots and outdoors. Ex situ conservation activities have been carried out: a seed bank was established and a stock of seedlings was produced for the purpose of in situ restoration of species with high conservation value. © 2011 The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.