Ecological aspects, introduction, comparative anatomical and ethnobotanical assessment of two species of the genus Artemisia L.

Abstract

Background: Species of the genus Artemisia L. are of considerable ethnobotanical, medicinal, and ecological importance in the flora of Uzbekistan. Artemisia dracunculus L. and Artemisia vulgaris L. are widely used in traditional medicine and are of interest for studying their distribution, adaptive potential, and structural characteristics under introduction conditions. The aim of the present study was to assess the ethnobotanical significance, ecological status, spatial distribution patterns, introduction performance, and leaf anatomical structure of two medicinal species of the genus Artemisia in the flora of Uzbekistan.

Methods: The study included an analysis of published ethnobotanical data, herbarium materials from the National Herbarium of Uzbekistan (TASH), field observations, and GIS-based mapping of the distribution of A. dracunculus and A. vulgaris. Spatial analysis was performed using ArcGIS 10.6.1, Google Earth, and SAS Planet. To assess altitudinal distribution, occurrence points were compared with a digital elevation model. Introduction observations were carried out under the conditions of the Tashkent Botanical Garden named after F.N. Rusanov. The anatomical structure of the leaves was studied on transverse sections taken from the middle part of the leaf blade, stained with methylene blue, and mounted in glycerol-gelatin. Quantitative anatomical parameters were statistically processed based on 30 measurements for each trait.

Results: GIS analysis revealed pronounced ecogeographical differentiation between the two species. A. dracunculus is characterized by a broad ecological amplitude and occurs within an altitudinal range of 500–2500 m a.s.l., covering both the mountainous regions of the Western Tien Shan, Western Hissar, Hissar-Darvaz, and Fergana-Alay, as well as the arid territories of Ustyurt and Kyzylkum. A. vulgaris has a more restricted distribution, mainly within 400–1800 m a.s.l., and is associated with mesophilic foothill areas, anthropogenically disturbed habitats, and synanthropic oases.

Ethnobotanical data confirm the use of A. dracunculus for inflammatory diseases, bruises, rheumatism, and sciatica, whereas A. vulgaris is used as an antipyretic, antiseptic, tonic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory agent. Under introduction conditions, A. dracunculus showed high seed germination, good survival, and active vegetative growth. A. vulgaris has been maintained for more than 30 years in the medicinal plant collection of the Tashkent Botanical Garden, where it flowers and fruits annually and regenerates by self-seeding.

The anatomical study revealed common leaf features in both species, including dorsiventral mesophyll, amphistomatic leaves, collateral vascular bundles, and the presence of T-shaped non-glandular trichomes. Species-specific features of A. dracunculus include two-layered palisade parenchyma, 5–6-layered spongy tissue, the presence of secretory ducts, and essential oils in the mesophyll. A. vulgaris is characterized by one-layered palisade parenchyma, 2–3-layered spongy tissue, the presence of subepidermal collenchyma and bast fibers, and the absence of distinct secretory ducts in the leaf.

Conclusions: obtained data show that A. dracunculus is an ecologically plastic species with a broad altitudinal and geographical amplitude, whereas A. vulgaris exhibits more pronounced ecological specialization and dependence on mesophilic and anthropogenically transformed habitats. The successful introduction of both species under the conditions of the Tashkent Botanical Garden confirms their adaptive potential and their prospects for conservation, further study, and sustainable use. The identified anatomical traits may be used for species diagnosis, assessment of adaptive strategies, and expansion of knowledge on the structural organization of medicinal plants of the genus Artemisia.

Keywords: Artemisia dracunculus, Artemisia vulgaris, ethnobotany, medicinal plants, GIS mapping, introduction, leaf anatomy, ecological plasticity, Uzbekistan.