UTILIZATION AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF SILENE VULGARIS IN THE NURATA AND KOHISTAN BOTANICAL–GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRICTS OF UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

Medicinal plants represent an essential component of natural ecosystems and play a crucial role in traditional medicine and biodiversity conservation. However, increasing anthropogenic pressure and habitat degradation threaten many wild medicinal species in arid and semi-arid ecosystems of Central Asia. One such species is Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke (Caryophyllaceae), a perennial herb widely distributed in Eurasia and known for its medicinal and pharmacological properties. The present study investigates the ecological distribution, reproductive biology, and traditional uses of Silene vulgaris populations occurring in the Nurata and Kohistan botanical–geographical districts of Uzbekistan. Field surveys, morphological analysis, and literature review were employed to evaluate the population status and reproductive strategies of the species. The results indicate that S. vulgaris occurs mainly in open habitats such as foothill pastures, roadside communities, and rocky or sandy substrates under moderately continental climatic conditions. The species demonstrates both generative and vegetative reproduction, with seed production playing a key role in maintaining population stability. Phytochemical analyses reported in previous studies reveal the presence of biologically active compounds including flavonoids, saponins, and phenolic substances, which contribute to its medicinal value. Traditional medicine utilizes different plant parts for treating gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatism, helminth infections, and dermatological conditions. Despite its ecological adaptability, increasing grazing pressure, land transformation, and uncontrolled harvesting may negatively affect the natural populations of the species. Therefore, monitoring population dynamics and developing sustainable harvesting strategies are essential for long-term conservation of this medicinal plant.

Keywords

Silene vulgaris, Caryophyllaceae, medicinal plants, population ecology, Central Asia, reproductive biology, genus, ontogenetic, ethnobotanical,plant.