Taxonomic Composition and Use of the Genus Lathyrus L., Growing in the Territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

Бюллетень науки и практики / Bulletin of Science and Practice Т. 11. №6 2025

UDC 578.08                                       

The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which is an integral part of the Republic of Azerbaijan, differs from other botanical and geographical regions with its natural resources. This wealth was formed, developed and shaped in the course of a long evolutionary process, due to the combined influence of natural-historical, ecological and anthropogenic factors. The rich xerophytic flora of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has historically developed in close genetic connection with the flora of the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Iran. Thus, the diversity of plants in this region has been of great interest to botanists and gardeners since ancient times.

Plants of the legume family are widespread in nature in the flora of the autonomous republic. The species included in this family are mainly herbs, shrubs and trees. In Azerbaijan, there are up to 262 species of the Fabaceae L. family, belonging to 47 genera. There are 17 genera growing in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, among which the genus Lathyrus L. occupies a unique place in terms of its species richness. Also, among the representatives of the family, there are many who, along with signs of primitiveness, also have signs of superiority. Given the above, it seems important to conduct research in this direction.

Research materıals and methodology

The studies were conducted in various areas of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in 2023‒2024. The object of the study was rocky and roadside areas of the region, and species of the genus Lathyrus L. were taken as material. The definition and clarification of the names of species included in the genus Lathyrus L. are based on the works of A. Asarov “Flora of Azerbaijan” [2], “Flora of Azerbaijan” [12] and other works. Recent taxonomic changes were clarified using World Flora Online [35].

Dıscussıon and results of the study

In the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the genus Lathyrus is one of the important plant species included in the rich flora of the region. In Azerbaijan, there are 24 species of this genus, in the flora of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic — 17 species. The systematic composition, ecological groups, range, altitude zone, flowering and fruiting phases of the species included in the genus are given in the table below.

Table TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION OF SPECIES OF THE GENUS Lathyrus L.

Species name	Environmental groups	Areal class	Altitude zone	Flowering and fruiting phase
Lathyrus aphaca L.	Mesoxerophyte	All of Azerbaijan	Middle mountain belt	VI-IX
L. chloranthus Boiss.	Mesophyte	Front Asia	Middle mountain belt	V, VII VIII
L. cyaneus (Stev.) C.Koch.	Mesophyte	Caucasus	Subalpine and alpine belt	VI-IX
L. hirsutus L.	Mesophyte	Mediterranean-Europe	Middle mountain belt	V-VIII
L. inconspicuus L.	Xerophyte	Mediterranean	Middle mountain belt	V-VI
L. incurvus (Roth) Roth.	Mesophyte	Pontic	Middle mountain belt	VI-IX
L. miniatus Bieb. ex Stev.	Mesophyte	Caucasus	Mid-mountain and subalpine belt	V, VII, VIII
L. cicera L.	Mesophyte	Mediterranean	Middle mountain belt	V, VI
L. atropatanus (Grossh.) Sirj.		Atropaten	High mountain belt	VI, VII
L. pratensis L.	Mesophyte	Palearctic	Mid-mountain and subalpine belt	VI-VIII
L. sylvestris L.	Mesophyte	Europe	Mid-mountain and subalpine belt	V, VII, VIII
L. pallescens (Bieb.) C. Koch.	Mesoxerophyte	Pontic	Medium and high mountain belt	V-VII
L. odoratus L.	Mesophyte	Caucasus	Middle mountain belt	V-VIII
L. roseus Stev.	Mesophyte	Mediterranean	Middle mountain belt	VI-VIII
L. sativus L.	Mesophyte	Europe	Middle mountain belt	VI-IX
L. sphaericu s Retz.	Mesophyte	Mediterranean	Middle mountain belt	V-VI
L. tuberosus L.	Mesophyte	Caucasus	Middle mountain belt	VI- IX

Бюллетень науки и практики / Bulletin of Science and Practice Т. 11. №6 2025

During the analysis of the ecological groups of the species included in the genus, it was found that the xerophyte ecological group is widely distributed in the study area and is represented by 1 species, which accounts for 6% of the total flora, the mesophyte ecological group is 82% with 14 species, and the mesoxerophyte ecological group is monotypic, accounting for 12%.

Based on the obtained literature sources and our personal field research, it was determined that the species of the genus belong to different areal classes, which allows us to determine the migration routes of the species to the area. Based on zonal and regional principles, it was found that the species included in the genus are grouped into 10 areal classes. As can be seen from the table, each of the Pontic 2, European 2, Caucasus 4, Mediterranean 4, Front Asia, Palearctic, Mediterranean-European Atropatan and all Azerbaijan areal classes is represented by 1 species.

Lathyrus L. These are annual or perennial plants with tendrils. The leaves consist of one or more leaflets ending in paired, simple or branched leaflets and have leaf bases. Sometimes the leaves become pinnate, and the leaf axis grows, forming a leaf. The raceme is single- or multiflowered. The calyx is inclined and has the same tooth. The male tube is cut straight. The beans are narrow-oblong, flattened, multi-seeded, with two lobes. A valuable forage plant. In Azerbaijan, there are 24 species of this genus, in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic — 17 species.

The plant L. aphaca is known as an important forage species in agriculture. The plant fertilizes the soil by fixing nitrogen, increasing its fertility.

The species L. chloranthus is used as an agricultural and forage plant. Since it belongs to the legume family, it enriches the soil with nitrogen, which is useful for crop rotation. Because of this feature, in some places it is specially grown to prevent erosion. Due to its ivy-like structure, it is also used as an ornamental plant. In the natural environment, it serves as a source of nectar for insects and bees.

• L.    cyaneus , like other Lathyrus species, is a forage plant for cattle, sheep and goats. Since it is rich in protein, it is added to feed mixtures in some places. This plant plays an important role in the natural ecosystem and honey production. It is grown as an ornamental plant in horticultural projects because of its beautifully colored flowers.

• L.    hirsutus is a forage plant for cattle, sheep and goats. It plays an important role in animal nutrition due to its protein and fiber content. However, overfeeding creates a risk of developing lathyrism (a disease affecting the nervous system).

• L.    inconspicuus it is used in some places as a forage plant for cattle and small animals. Although it is relatively high in protein, excessive consumption, as with some Lathyrus species, creates a risk of lathyrism. The root system helps prevent erosion by stabilizing the soil. It is especially useful for maintaining soil cover in arid and semi-arid regions. Its small yellowish flowers provide food for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. It is indirectly useful for beekeeping.

• L.    incurvus is an important forage plant for cattle, sheep and goats. Its small, colorful flowers provide food for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. It is used as a nectar source for honey bees. It helps enrich the soil with organic matter, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. It is used to improve soil structure and nutrient balance in the preparation of agricultural land.

The species L. miniatus contains biologically active substances and can therefore be used in folk medicine to treat certain diseases. Since this species is poisonous, long-term use can cause a nervous system disorder called lathyrism.

• L.    cicera It can be used as animal feed because it is rich in protein and fiber. It has been used as food during famines and in some traditional farming systems. However, since this species contains toxic substances (P-ODAP), long-term use can cause lathyrism.

• L.    atropatanus in some places, it is used as a forage plant for cattle and small animals. Its flowers are a source of food for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. It is beneficial for the local ecosystem and has a positive effect on beekeeping. It can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers by helping to enrich the soil with organic matter. In agriculture, it can be planted as green manure to improve soil fertility.

• L.    pratensis is used as a forage plant for cattle, sheep and other animals. It plays an important role in animal nutrition due to its protein and fiber content. It is used as animal feed, especially in pastures and meadows. Due to its aesthetic appearance, it can be used as an ornamental plant in gardening and landscaping. Its flowers are yellow and red, which creates an eye-catching effect.

• L.    sylvestris can be used as animal feed, which is especially important for cattle and small animals. It is useful in animal nutrition, as it contains protein and fiber. However, like other Lathyrus species, it carries a risk of lathyrism (damage to the nervous system) when consumed in large quantities and over a long period of time, so it should be used with caution. The flowers of Lathyrus sylvestris are attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. This plant helps to increase biodiversity and maintain local ecosystems.

• L.    pallescens its flowers can be used for ornamental purposes in gardening and landscaping. The beauty and variety of its flowers, especially its ability to climb, make it suitable for decorating fences and pergolas. As a green manure, it helps to enrich the soil with organic matter. Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and improves the soil structure.

• L.    odoratus the flowers of the scented valerian plant have been used in some traditional medicine methods. Some studies suggest that it may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, extensive research in this area is still ongoing and should be used with caution.

• L.    roseus is a very popular ornamental plant, widely used in gardening. It looks great in gardens, hedges and pergolas due to its beautiful blue-pink flowers and strong, pleasant aroma. Due to its climbing properties, this plant is also used to create green walls and decorative coverings. Lathyrus roseus flowers are also very popular as cut flowers. The flowers are used for bouquets and flower arrangements, as they remain fresh for a long time and have a wonderful aroma.

The plant L. sativus has the ability to fix nitrogen, which helps to increase soil fertility. It can be used in crop rotation or as a green manure. This plant improves the quality of the soil and helps other plants grow. Lathyrus sativus is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are used in some traditional medicinal purposes, but extensive research in this area is still ongoing. It should only be used under medical supervision because it contains substances that can cause Lathyrism sphaericus it is widely used in horticulture as an ornamental plant due to its flowers and aesthetic appearance. The Lathyrus sphaericus plant stabilizes the soil and prevents erosion due to its powerful root system. It helps protect the soil on slopes and in mountainous areas, which is especially useful in areas at risk of water and wind erosion. Lathyrus sphaericus is used as a green manure to improve soil fertility due to its ability to fix nitrogen. This plant plays an important role in fixing nitrogen in the soil and increasing its fertility.

The seeds and roots of L. tuberosus have been used as a food source since ancient times. Since its root is edible, it is included in the daily diet in various traditional cuisines. However, caution should be exercised when consuming roots and seeds, as some species of Lathyrus contain toxic substances (P-ODAP). Long-term use may pose a risk of lathyrism (a disorder of the nervous system). The Lathyrus tuberosus plant is sometimes used as animal feed. This plant is useful in animal nutrition because it is rich in protein, but caution should be exercised when consuming it regularly due to the risk of toxic substances.

Бюллетень науки и практики / Bulletin of Science and Practice Т. 11. №6 2025

The fact that the Nakhchivan MR, which is the area of research, has a sharply continental climate, due to the sharp change in the amplitude of the temperature difference between seasons, caused the development of weakly monotypic, i.e. xerophytic type plants, which affected the formation of vegetation [1‒8].

In general, in these territories, the species belonging to the genus are characterized by the formation of strongly closed groups with plants of other families. The territory of the region is a natural grouping of natural herbaceous plants with various shrubs and trees, occupying large areas in the region and forming a belt.

Regardless of the location, herbaceous plants in all territories are constantly in contact with species of other families and form different groups. Based on this, numerous eco-geographical groups of shrubs and grasses are formed in typical forest-surrounding thickets, making up the forest-shrub complex. Thus, in the formation of phytocenoses, the dominant and cognitive species are plants belonging to the families Malvaceae , Rosaceae and other families [9‒17].

Thus, it does not fully reflect the directions of use of species belonging to the abovementioned genus Lathyrus L. In our further studies, we consider it appropriate to comprehensively study all the features of the studied breed [18].

Conclusıon

• 1.    During the conducted research, it was concluded that 17 species of the genus Lathyrus L. are found in the flora of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. It was found that all species belonging to the genus are decorative, medicinal and ecological in nature.

• 2.    During the analysis of the ecological groups of the species included in the genus, it was found that 1 species of the genus is xerophytic, 14 species are mesophytic, and 2 species are mesoxerophytic. According to the analysis of the geographical areal classes, 4 species of the genus are Caucasian, 4 species are Mediterranean, 2 species are Pontic, 2 species are European, 1 species are Near East, 1 species are Palearctic, 1 species are Mediterranean-European, 1 species are Atropatan, and 1 species is all of Azerbaijan, and are monotypic.

Acknowledgments: We would like to express our gratitude to Professor Dashgin Ganbarov for identifying the studied species;

Financing: The research it is financed and supported on the basis of the “Herbari Fund of Biology Department of Nakhchivan State University” project.