Aquilegia karatavica explained

Aquilegia karatavica is a perennial species of plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to Kazakhstan.

Description

The species is tall, occasionally up to, with fragrant blue petals.

Taxonomy

Aquilegia karatavica was described by the Soviet botanist Georgij Vladimirovic Mikeschin (19111965) in 1947, from the type specimen which he collected in 1936 and is now held in Moscow State University.

Etymology

The specific epithet karatavica refers to the Karatau Mountains to which the species is native.

Distribution and habitat

Aquilegia karatavica is endemic to the Karatau Mountains of southern Kazakhstan, on north-facing rocky slopes at altitudes of around .

Conservation

The species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List. Although the Karatau Nature Reserve covers part of the mountain ridge on which it grows, the reserve does not extend to the northern slope, which is the only known habitat of Aquilegia karatavica.