Anatomical and physiological adaptations of cryophilic plants of central and eastern Main Caucasus ridge

The Main Caucasian Ridge is a unique place where adaptive capacity of cryophilic plants, the relationship between organisms in extreme living conditions for the studied species of plants of the Greater Caucasus Ridge (GCR) can be revealed. The research objective was the identification and studying of adaptations of cryophilic views of the Caucasus and their communications with the com-plex of other adaptations defining the strategy of existence of plants in various conditions of a moun-tain belt. The analysis of data shows that subnival plants growing in the Main Caucasian Ridge condi-tions and relating to various environmental groups, have both signs of similar anatomical structure, and differ significantly in a number of grounds. Most of the plant leaves have very small cells of epidermis, the main reason of xeromorphic changes and tiny cell leaf structure as the oppressing influence of the lack of water on the growth of cells of extension phase. During vegetative period of the plant in the conditions of GCR test a considerable lack of mois-ture that is defined by the minute quantity of rainfall which is dropping out at this time. The atmospheric drought is aggravated with the existence of strong and dry winds. Mountain plants in the course of long evolution developed high adaptive ability to survive and breed at extreme loadings. In GCR plants in the course of evolution diverse adapta-tions were developed. Herbaceous plants are min-iature, or have a rosellate or a semi-rosellate growth form. As a result they form the compact vital forms forming plants pillows. Most plants of the Main Caucasian Ridge have powerfully developed root system, 78 % of the plants of this group have a taproot system that develops in dwarf shrubs and annual winter monocarp ones. Due to cryophilic conditions the magnitude of shoots reduces, they lie down, and the variety receives spatial form (Primula baiernii, Podospermum meyeri, Sym-phiogloma glaveolens, Psedovesicaria digitata, Scrophularia minima et al.). The main cycle at the erect plant types is reduced, at the prostrate ones is increased, replacing the cycle of development of their orthotropic parts, which is equal to the basic cycle and tends to decrease in cryophilic condi-tions. At the same time, the process of shoot for-mation is increased.