Staff of the Higher Plants Systematics Laboratory of the Institute of Botany PLE under the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan took part in an expedition to Lerik region, led by the laboratory's head, Professor Aydin Asgarov.

 

The expedition, carried out in accordance with the thematic plan, was conducted along various routes toward the villages of Kalakhan, Kalvaz, Ashagi Gadik, Zuvand, Huseynabad, Shonaychala, Gosmalian, Hiveri, Khalifa, and Mistan in Lerik region.

 

During the expedition, 170 plant specimens belonging to 26 families and 32 genera were collected and taxonomically identified. Numerous plant species belonging to the genera Astragalus, Helichrysum, Salvia, Achillea, Campanula, Scrophularia, Rosa, Teucrium, Thymus, Verbascum, and others were recorded. At the same time, special scientific materials were collected for anatomical, morphological, and palynological studies and brought in for laboratory analysis. The results of the research are intended to be used to enrich the Herbarium Fund, as well as in the preparation of the multi-volume "Flora of Azerbaijan."

 

As part of the expedition, monitoring was carried out on rare, relict, and endemic plants, and their distribution ranges and population status were assessed. At the same time, extensive reserve areas of medicinal plants belonging to the genera Achillea, Rosa, and Salvia were identified.