Ophrys kopetdagensis was discovered and described in 1982 in Aydere and Pordere Gorges adjoin to Sumbar Valley. Herbarium samples of those times were sent to Saint Petersburg and lost, therefore the independence of this species was not recognized by the world orchid specialists.
The destiny of the plant was solved in 2015 by the trip of the scientists to Pordere Gorge, which downstream is located on 1000 m height above the sea level. This is narrow strip surrounded by sheer fine-grained slopes of high ranges rich with big species of almond, pillow Xerophytes and diversity of grass. There are bushes of thorny and unique plant Gundelia tournefortii. The path from the creek up the hills runs through sycamores, walnuts and other vegetation species. The oasis strikes with its beauty, cascades of small waterfalls. There is plenty of swamp areas with numerous hydrophilic grasses and sedges. Population of four blooming orchids distinguished by from common and famous Ophrys kopetdagensis was found under the shade of big sycamores in one of these areas. The scientists made several photos dried one sample for herbarium.
The photo materials were sent to orchid specialists. The discovery raised keen interest. Soon after that, German magazine “Orchids of Europe” published the article prepared by Turkmen botanists together with Finnish and Dutch specialists. It presented new species of wild orchids – the Ophrys kopetdagensis. Unique status of this species was officially recognized. During the second expedition to Pordere Gourse, the number of plants were 150 speicies. Turkmen botanists consider the plant as an endemic specific to local place that requires the protection and entering to the Red Book.
Another species of Turkmen orchids – the Ophrys transhyrcana, was described in 1916. It was first found on the south slope of Syunt Mountain and until now the areal of this species was only within this place. However, Caspian type of wild orchids was found on the south slops of Isak Mountain in the upstream of Parhay place during further botanical expeditions and studies of South – West Kopetdag. Small populations of the plant was found on some parts of Monjukly Ridge, which belongs to Chendyr – Sumbar watershed. The plant grows in well-drained soils of grass meadows of the midlands. Two species have hardly distinctive differences in the appearance as well as in blooming and fruiting phases. In Central Asian region, this type of plant grows only in Turkmenistan.
The studies of remote places and places with difficult access always bring unexpected findings. Isolated territories such as deep mountain gorges are unique parts of the Earth where the change of the epochs made less effect. Owing to this, Kopetdag – Khorasan mountain province is distinguished by the highest level of endemism among the mountains of Central Asia – 18 percent of the variety of local flora are considered as rare or never else growing species. All orchids of Turkmenistan are the part of the relics of ancient Hircan flora and living natural monuments of the past ages. The population of ophrys is not an occasional occurrence and explained by close floristic relations between South Caucasus and Western Turkmenistan. This is proved by the presence of great number of Caucasian flora in Western Kopetdag.
There are more than 400 endemics registered in Turkmenistan, the biggest part of which grows in mountain ecosystems.
The destiny of the plant was solved in 2015 by the trip of the scientists to Pordere Gorge, which downstream is located on 1000 m height above the sea level. This is narrow strip surrounded by sheer fine-grained slopes of high ranges rich with big species of almond, pillow Xerophytes and diversity of grass. There are bushes of thorny and unique plant Gundelia tournefortii. The path from the creek up the hills runs through sycamores, walnuts and other vegetation species. The oasis strikes with its beauty, cascades of small waterfalls. There is plenty of swamp areas with numerous hydrophilic grasses and sedges. Population of four blooming orchids distinguished by from common and famous Ophrys kopetdagensis was found under the shade of big sycamores in one of these areas. The scientists made several photos dried one sample for herbarium.
The photo materials were sent to orchid specialists. The discovery raised keen interest. Soon after that, German magazine “Orchids of Europe” published the article prepared by Turkmen botanists together with Finnish and Dutch specialists. It presented new species of wild orchids – the Ophrys kopetdagensis. Unique status of this species was officially recognized. During the second expedition to Pordere Gourse, the number of plants were 150 speicies. Turkmen botanists consider the plant as an endemic specific to local place that requires the protection and entering to the Red Book.
Another species of Turkmen orchids – the Ophrys transhyrcana, was described in 1916. It was first found on the south slope of Syunt Mountain and until now the areal of this species was only within this place. However, Caspian type of wild orchids was found on the south slops of Isak Mountain in the upstream of Parhay place during further botanical expeditions and studies of South – West Kopetdag. Small populations of the plant was found on some parts of Monjukly Ridge, which belongs to Chendyr – Sumbar watershed. The plant grows in well-drained soils of grass meadows of the midlands. Two species have hardly distinctive differences in the appearance as well as in blooming and fruiting phases. In Central Asian region, this type of plant grows only in Turkmenistan.
The studies of remote places and places with difficult access always bring unexpected findings. Isolated territories such as deep mountain gorges are unique parts of the Earth where the change of the epochs made less effect. Owing to this, Kopetdag – Khorasan mountain province is distinguished by the highest level of endemism among the mountains of Central Asia – 18 percent of the variety of local flora are considered as rare or never else growing species. All orchids of Turkmenistan are the part of the relics of ancient Hircan flora and living natural monuments of the past ages. The population of ophrys is not an occasional occurrence and explained by close floristic relations between South Caucasus and Western Turkmenistan. This is proved by the presence of great number of Caucasian flora in Western Kopetdag.
There are more than 400 endemics registered in Turkmenistan, the biggest part of which grows in mountain ecosystems.
