Berberis aquifolium Pursh - new species for the flora of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan

Geobotanical, floristic, systematic, ecological studies were carried out to study the flora and vegetation of the administrative regions of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The purpose of the study was to study flora and vegetation, to look for new taxa of wild and cultivated flora of the region. Before our research (1970), in the flora of Nakhchivan the Berberidaceae family was represented by only 3 species of the Berberis genus: B. integerrima Bunge, B. iberica Steven, B. vulgaris L. During long-term (1970-2023) research, we identified 3 more species: B. heteropoda Schrenk, B. thunbergii f. atropurpurea and during the expedition on May 10, 2023, the species Berberis aquifolium Pursh was found. It was introduced as a highly ornamental shrub. Thus, based on literary sources and the results of our research, it has been established that 14 wild and cultivated species (and two forms) of barberry are widespread in Azerbaijan. During the research, attention was paid to the habitat conditions of the newly identified taxa, their morphobiological, useful and bioecological features were studied for further rational use. Barberry species are valuable useful plants. Because of the research, it is recommended to create plantations of industrial importance for rational, long-term use, improve, increase productivity, and protect natural thickets and their populations.