Interesting Crimean plants mentioned in the Bible. Rare Crimean Plants Rare Crimean Protected Plants

Currently, humanity is concerned about the state of nature and is doing everything possible to preserve rare representatives of flora and fauna. The Red Book of Crimea will help you find out which Crimean animals and plants need protection.

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History

The first list, which listed rare plants and rare animals in the Crimea, was compiled in the twenties of the last century. Over time, it has changed, many scientists have made their own additions. But there was not enough material to create a full-fledged publication. Finally, in 2015, by a government decree, a decree was issued on the compilation of the work “The Red Book of Crimea. Plants and Animals ". The document gave the publication an official status. More than fifty specialists worked on its creation. The information contained in it helps in making decisions on expanding protected areas or creating new sanctuaries and reserves.

Structure

The Red Book contains the name of the species in Russian and Latin, and their description. A characteristic of the rarity is given and the actions taken to preserve it are indicated. A map showing habitats, illustrations and photographs is presented. At the end of each essay, there are links to the original sources.

On land and in water

Almost 400 species of animals are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Crimea. Of these, more than fifty are endangered, 16 subspecies are recognized as almost extinct.

List of some animals from the Red Data Book of Crimea:

The steppe chorus is an endangered group.

Lives on plains, forest plantations and even in small settlements. It feeds on small rodents. Females are fertilized in the spring, giving birth in early summer, 10 - 16 puppies at a time. At the end of summer, puppies leave their mothers, live alone and by the next year become sexually mature individuals. No special security measures are proposed. The population size depends on the number of rats, which are the main food.

Bottlenose dolphin is a dwindling species.

In Crimea, it lives in the Black Sea and the Kerch Strait. It feeds on fish, lives on average 20 - 30 years, becomes sexually mature at 7 years old, gives birth to offspring every 3 years. Suffers from illegal fishing for commercial dolphinariums, dies from collisions with ships. In captivity, it reproduces, but the offspring gives a weak, incapable of full reproduction. The reduction, and subsequently the closure of the dolphinariums, was named as a conservation measure.

The small gopher is a dwindling steppe group.

Lives in colonies in steppes and semi-deserts. Digs long burrows with passages. It feeds mainly on cereals. In the cold season, it hibernates for 3-4 months. Upon exiting hibernation, the breeding cycle begins, in the litter from five to ten cubs. At the beginning of summer, they emerge from their burrows, and other groups of animals settle in the burrows, including those listed in the Red Book in the Crimea, which makes ground squirrels an ecologically valuable subspecies. The threat to them is the plowing of the steppes and predators.

The large jerboa is an endangered species.

Prefers meadows and dry shores of water bodies. Lives in burrows, equipping a nesting chamber. For the winter hibernates. It feeds on bulbs, seeds, leaves and insects. They are threatened by plowing of meadows and grazing. Also suffers from predators: gulls, owls, ferrets.

A complete list of animals included in the Red Book of Crimea can be viewed in the publication itself, in printed or electronic form.

In the air

The birds listed in the Red Book in the Republic of Crimea are striking in their diversity. Let's take a look at some of them:

The starling is pink.

The color of this bird is actually pink, with the exception of a small crest, wings and tail - they are black with a metallic sheen. This is a rare subspecies. Arrives at nesting sites in May. Over the past 30 years, the number of arriving birds has decreased by three times. Builds nests in shelters - cracks in rocks, under slate roofs. Lays about 5 eggs, which are incubated by both parents. A month after birth, the chicks already fly well. The starling feeds mainly on insects; in the summer, juicy fruits are added to the diet.

Tirkushka steppe.

Endangered. Breeds near the sea or salt lakes, far from water, in colonies. In the seventies of the last century, it was an ordinary bird, now it is extremely rare. Arrives in early May, uses a small hole in the ground as a nest, laying up to 5 eggs. Parents incubate together, flying away during the day to feed. The nest left for this time is looked after by other birds of the colony. In early September, tirkushki together with young animals fly to Africa for the winter.

The yellow heron is a rare subspecies.

It nests along the shores of brackish and freshwater bodies of water, next to other bird colonies. Arrives in April, laying in early May. By July, the young have already left the colony. Adult birds migrate by the end of September. It feeds on insects, amphibians and small fish in shallow water.

Many species of migratory birds in recent years have reduced their numbers and those listed in the Red Book are under state protection.

Insects

Representatives of insects demand no less protection. Let's take a look at some of them:

The Crimean ground beetle (another name is "Rough ground beetle") is a rare subspecies.

Lives on rocky slopes, in gardens, vineyards, parks and forests. It is a predator that eats snails, insects and their larvae. Breeds from early April to late September. The life span is three years, the larvae overwinter at different ages. There are noticeable fluctuations in numbers.

The flywheel bumblebee is an endangered subspecies.

Occurs singly, rarely. Prefers shores and floodplains. Nests are made on the ground, under last year's foliage or moss. Active from late spring to late summer. It feeds on pollen and nectar from the legume family. The burning of dry grass and the impoverishment of forage sites is recognized as a threat.

Swallowtail is a rare species. Large, beautiful butterfly.

The wingspan reaches 10 cm. It lives in the steppes, but flies over long distances, flying into the villages in the gardens and laying eggs there. Before mating, males dance mating dances. The female lays 1 to 3 eggs. Caterpillars feed on umbellates, preferring their flowers. They develop within a month, then they make a pupa. The threat to the population is the plowing of the steppes, uncontrolled grazing of livestock.

All these and many other animals of the Crimea included in the Red Book are protected by the law of the Russian Federation.

Flora

Its representatives play an invaluable role in the development of the planet. The state takes care of the preservation of useful species. The endangered Crimean plants listed in the Red Book are rare plants, all of them are also listed in the CC of Russia and Ukraine.

The introduction of the publication gives a story about the nature of the peninsula with colorful photographs and illustrations of landscapes. A list of regulations is presented. The descriptions themselves include the following sections:

species name in Russian and Latin with synonyms;
photograph or illustration;
taxon status;
habitat and cartogram with the designation of habitats on the territory of the Crimean Republic;
morphological and biological features;
possible threats and adopted methods of protection;
links to sources of information and authors of illustrations and photographs.

Almost 300 species of vascular, about 40 bryophytes, slightly less than 20 algae and 55 lichens and fungi are protected by law. Plants of the Red Book express a loud call for the protection of not only rare subspecies included in the list of KK, but also all other equally important species growing on the peninsula.

Crocus Crimean. In addition to the peninsula, it is found in Novorossiysk

Trees

On the peninsula, depending on the distance from the coast, there are different types of forests.
In the foothills, these are forest-steppe, consisting of juniper, pear, oak, dog rose and other trees. To the south, oak trees appear - these are light and not dense forests. Higher in the mountains, they change to beech trees (the trees are more than two hundred years old). It is very twilight there, the grass does not grow under the crowns. The higher, the more gnarled and shorter the trees become. Closer to the sea there are pine and beech forests. Further south, a mixed forest appears, consisting of oak, pistachio, juniper and other drought-resistant plants.

For example, the Crimean juniper is a declining species. This is an evergreen tree up to 15 meters high. Prefers steep southern slopes, wind-pollinated, propagates by seeds. The threat is construction, quarrying, forest fires. Protected in reserves.

Juniper grows in Crimea in many places, but it is not numerous everywhere.

Flowers

These representatives of the flora are represented in an incredible number of species. Many of them are endangered. Let's list some of them:

Many plants are known to be mentioned in the Bible. Some of them are widespread in Russia - wheat, barley, apple, daffodil, lily, blackthorn, wormwood, etc. Others can be found only in the south, including vacationing in the Crimea. The botanical affiliation of some is obvious, while others are still being debated. For example, no one knows what kind of gopher from which Noah built his ark, some translate this word as acacia, others - Lebanese cedar, others - cypress. Therefore, we will not argue that all the plants mentioned in the article are exactly the ones that the authors of the Bible had in mind, but this does not make them less interesting.

Which of the plants of the Bible grow in the Crimea

Fig tree(fig, fig). This plant is mentioned more than once in the Bible. It was with fig leaves that Adam and Eve covered themselves after they ate the forbidden fruit and realized that nudity is not good. This same tree was cursed by Jesus under Jerusalem for lack of fruit.

Spice fig

In Crimea, figs feel great on the southern coast and in Sevastopol, in places they run wild and grow by themselves. In other parts of the peninsula, it has to be sheltered for the winter. Locals make an excellent jam from figs, be sure to try it!

Lebanese cedar, is mentioned in the Bible 75 times. For example, with his bark the prophet Moses ordered the rabbis to treat leprosy and disinfect wounds during circumcision. It was used in the construction of Jerusalem temples and, perhaps, it was from it that Noah's ark was built.

Primorsky Boulevard, Sevastopol

In Crimea, it can be found in almost all south-coast parks and just on the streets.

Burning bush(fraxinella). Careless tourists remember the meeting with this plant forever. The fact is that you cannot touch this beautiful flower, smell it too, otherwise bubbles appear on the affected areas the next day, as if from a burn, which soon burst and expose naked meat.

Yasenets at the Black River near Sevastopol

This plant is called unburned for an interesting property - its fruits contain essential oils, and in such quantities that if a match is brought to the bush during the ripening of seeds in sunny calm weather, the air around will flare up for a second, and the plant will remain unharmed. Not all researchers agree that it is the ash tree that is mentioned in the Bible. They remind that there was a bush with thorns, which the ash tree does not have.

Oil tree(European or cultural olive, European olive, olive tree) On the southern coast of Crimea there are old olive groves that look like they were planted in biblical times:

Olive grove in Nikitsky Botanical Garden

This useful oil-bearing plant, apparently, was brought here by ancient Greek settlers together with grapes.

Olive trees in the park of the sanatorium im. Aivazovsky in Partenit

In the Bible, olives, the tree itself, flowers, fruits, olive oil, are mentioned both directly and allegorically. For example, King David owned oil orchards, oil was added and added to myrrh. An olive branch is brought to Noah by a dove, thereby showing that the flood is over. She is also held in the hands of the Archangel Gabriel, telling the Virgin Mary the good news.

Palm... The inhabitants of Jerusalem greeted Jesus Christ with palm branches. John the Theologian saw the saints before the throne of God with palm branches in their hands. There are many palm alleys and separately growing trees on the southern coast of Crimea. They tolerate short-term frosts and even snowfalls well.

Palm trees in Gurzuf, in the sanatorium "Pushkino"

In the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, you can admire a whole collection of these heat-loving plants:

One of the palm groves of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden

Moreover, the palmaria is expanding and in recent years many new species have been planted.

One of the corners of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden

Grape... Only the olive tree is found more often than this plant in the Bible. Raisins, grapevines, wine, vineyards are mentioned in the Holy Book in connection with a variety of events.

Grape variety "Moldova"

For example, King David takes raisins on the road, and he also receives them from Abigail with other gifts. Jesus on the cross is smeared with a sponge soaked in sour wine. Often grapes are used allegorically, for example, identifying Christ with the true vine, and his followers with its branches.

Old vineyard near the village of Chernorechye

In Crimea, grapes have been cultivated practically since biblical times, and therefore many autochthonous varieties have survived here, there are also wines from them, for example, the famous "Black Doctor".

New vineyard in the vicinity of the village. Corner

Hyssop is mentioned in the Bible 12 times and each time it is associated with any rituals that help to cleanse, whitewash, protect, and anesthetize something. Now this phytoncidal plant is also used for medicinal and culinary purposes, and simply decorates the streets of southern cities. In Crimea, it can be found in various places, in parks, squares, in flower beds.

Hyssop blooms

Juniper mentioned in the Bible in connection with the life of the prophet Elijah, who rests under it, and then finds food under it. Again, researchers argue whether it was definitely a juniper or the translation is incorrect, and if it is a juniper, what kind?

Junipers at Cape Sarych

In Crimea, different types of junipers grow, some of them are listed in the Red Book, therefore, buying products from its wood, tourists either indulge poachers or acquire fakes - products from other woods, impregnated with coniferous oils.

Juniper right on the rock - a typical Crimean picture

Saffron(crocus) is mentioned in Scripture only once - in the Old Testament in the Book of Songs of Solomon in the list of fragrant plants next to backgammon, calamus, cinnamon and myrrh.

Crocus is one of the Crimean snowdrops

In Crimea, it can be found everywhere, in forests, on city lawns, in the front gardens of local residents. Its delicate flowers can also be found in the fall - these cropping flowers:

Autumn saffron on the Omega beach in Sevastopol

And these crocuses were filmed at the Baydarsky Pass, where they, together with bright blue groves in early spring, bloom in mountain forests under the crowns of trees that have not yet bloomed leaves:

Saffron at the Baydar Pass

Cypress mentioned in the Bible 7 times. For example, in the Old Testament in the Book of Isaiah the Lord promises to open the springs and plant the desert with plants - cedar, myrtle, olive, cypress, sycamore .... Now the Crimean landscapes cannot be imagined without these dark green candles. It is hard to believe that they were created not by nature, but by people - they were brought out by the ancient Greeks from the local wild form with horizontal branches. Most likely the authors of the Bible had it in mind.

Alley of old cypress trees in Simeiz

In Crimea, the pyramidal cypress was settled twice. First, he arrived here with Greek settlers in the 1st millennium BC, and when they practically left the peninsula, gradually the cypresses also disappeared - the old ones died over time, no one was engaged in breeding new ones. After the annexation of Crimea to Russia in the 18th century, this phytoncidal plant was brought back again.

Judas tree(Purple or Cercis European, Jewish tree). Once upon a time it was brought to the Crimea as an ornamental culture, but it has grown wild and now often grows by itself, especially in Sevastopol and its environs. Its main feature is that flowers bloom not only at the ends of branches, but also right on the trunks.

Flowers on the trunk of a Judah tree

There are two versions of the appearance of this name. According to the first - it was on its branches that Judas Iscariot hanged himself, according to the other - the birthplace of this plant of Judea, in honor of him it is named.

Crimson Blossoms - Jewish Tree

By the way, there are many versions of what Judas hanged himself on. This is aspen, because of which its foliage still trembles with horror, birch, whose trunk has turned white with fear, alder, whose wood, allegedly since then, has acquired a reddish color, elderberry, mountain ash, etc. In general, almost every nation has its own version.

Adam's apple(Maclura orange or apple, false orange, inedible, Indian or Chinese orange, dyeing mulberry). This plant was brought to Europe from North America as an ornamental culture. First of all, attention is drawn to its inedible, but unusual fruits, reminiscent of balls for tennis. They are the same green, have an uneven surface and can reach 15 cm in diameter, but usually about 10 cm.

Maclura on a branch

You can admire them in any Crimean market. Although the Crimeans themselves do not use this plant in any way, they are happy to sell its fruits to gullible tourists as a panacea for all diseases. According to legend, it was this inedible and even poisonous fruit, and not a tasty apple, that convinced Adam and Eve to try the cunning Serpent. According to another version, God in anger turned the fruits of the Tree of Knowledge into these inedible balls.

Garnet(Pomegranate, Pomegranate tree). Everyone has tried the fruits of this tree, but few of the northerners have seen how it grows (except that on the windowsills, decorative varieties). Crimea provides such an opportunity, although even here it is chilly, so the easiest way to see this exotic is in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, which is located on the South Bank, in a place with the mildest climate.

Ripe pomegranates in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden

In the Bible, the pomegranate, or rather its fruit - the pomegranate apple is mentioned several times. Including there is a version that Eve, seduced by the Serpent, treated Adam with a pomegranate apple, and not a nasty maklyura.

There are a lot of mistletoe in Crimea. In summer, it is almost invisible, but in winter its balls, dressing trees in greenery, which have long thrown off their own foliage, are visible from afar.

The Crimean flora is very diverse. On a small territory, there are forest, steppe, semi-desert and desert natural zones. Their distribution is related to the climate and topography of the peninsula. In Crimea, there are about 250 endemic plants, some of the flora are relics of the Ice Age. Mediterranean species have taken root well on the South Coast.

Below are some representatives of the flora of the Crimea with a brief description and photos.

Colchicum Ankara

Corm perennial grows in the steppes and on the slopes of the mountains. The height of the plant is only 5 cm. There is a bluish bloom on the lanceolate leaves. Flowering, depending on the temperature regime, begins in January-March. Colchicum flowers of a pink-lilac shade are similar to a crocus. However, unlike crocus, the flowers and leaves of the plant appear at the same time. Colchicum is a poisonous plant; today it is listed in the Red Book.

Astragalus bristly

A perennial herb is classified as an endangered species. At present, it has survived only in three regions of the southern coast of Crimea. The relic grows on rocks and slopes, its height is 15 cm. Shoots are covered with hard hairs, narrow foliage has soft pubescence. The plant is highly drought tolerant. Purple flowers bloom in May.

Magnolia large-flowered

An evergreen tree grows up to 30 m. It has a thick trunk and a dense crown. Leathery leaves are pointed. Large white flowers are eye-catching. Magnolia blooms all summer and bears fruit in mid-fall. Flowers and fruits contain large amounts of essential oil. Today they are widely used in perfumery.

Lady's slipper is real

The Red Book perennial of the orchid family is found in the mountain belt, foothills and on the southern coast of Crimea. The length of the flowering stem is 60 cm, the green leaves are oval-lanceolate. The flower is shaped like a shoe, hence the name of the orchid. During the flowering period, the plant exudes a pleasant aroma, attracting insects to it. Prefers shaded mixed forests and forest edges, less often found in open areas. The main threat to the lady's shoe population is the massive collection for bouquets and digging up roots for transplanting into gardens.

Folded snowdrop

A perennial bulbous plant belongs to the Amaryllis family. It can be found at the edges of forests, among bushes, in mountainous areas. Snowdrop height is 25 cm, dark green leaves are covered with a bluish bloom. The plant blooms in early spring, flowering lasts about a month. White single flowers exude a delicate aroma. At the end of spring, the foliage disappears until the next year, the growing season continues in the underground part. The number of snowdrops has decreased significantly due to human economic and commercial activities.

Common barberry

Branched and thorny shrub grows up to 1.5 m. Yellowish shoots acquire a gray tint with age. The foliage is located in the axils of the thorns. In the fall, it becomes a rich red color, which gives the bush a decorative effect. Barberry blooms in May, flowers are collected in a brush. Elliptical red berries ripen in September-October. Barberry is considered a medicinal plant. Preparations based on it have a choleretic, antispasmodic and diuretic effect. Wood is used for making crafts and souvenirs.

Yew berry

The coniferous tree is a relic of the Crimea. It is found in forests and on mountain slopes, very rarely forms small groves. The yew grows very slowly, the annual growth is only 2 cm. The tree's lifespan is amazing, some individuals are 4000 years old. Yew is the only representative of conifers that does not have resin. However, bark, needles and wood are very poisonous. The tree can be recognized by its conical crown, red-brown bark and bright red scrub. Wood has been in demand since ancient times, it is heavy, resilient and resistant to decay. Today, economic use is out of the question. All areas of yew on Earth, including Crimea, are protected.

Pistachio blunt-leaved

The tree got to the island from. The lifespan can be 1000 years. The height of the pistachio reaches 8 m, it has a dense crown and an ash-colored bark. Oval leaves are collected in a bunch, flowers are inconspicuous. Fruits, globular drupes, ripen in late summer. The plant is drought-resistant, tolerates highly saline soils, but needs intense lighting. Pistachio does not form independent plantings. In many fruits, the seeds simply do not ripen, which is why the tree does not reproduce well. The wood is very dense and heavy. Pistachio is listed in the Red Book, limiting factors are human activities, cataclysms, unregulated recreation and erosion.

Walnut

The tree came to Crimea from Greece and gradually spread throughout the peninsula. Adults reach a height of 30 m, the average life span is up to 3-4 centuries. The nut has a spreading crown with numerous branches. The girth of the trunk is 2 m. The walnut has a powerful root system that extends 20 m in different directions. Elongated leaves have a specific smell. The fruits are false drupes that contain one seed. Nuts ripen by early September. Wood has a beautiful pattern, which is why it is highly valued in the furniture industry.

Evergreen cypress

The coniferous tree has a pyramidal shape. The height of the trunk is 30 m. The needles of dark green color have a pleasant aroma, small cones are covered with a pattern. Cypress is most common on the southern coast of Crimea. Here he forms groves and alleys, actively participates in the formation of a healing climate. The tree reaches its maximum height at the age of 100 years. It tolerates droughts and significant drops in temperature well.

The Red Book in Russia is usually called a reference book in which rare plants and rare animals are entered. Each Russian region has its own rare plants and endangered species animals. Every corner of our vast country is writing its own Red Book (CC). When plants and animals are brought into the KK, they begin to be heavily guarded. The Crimean Red Book was founded at the end of the eighties of the last century.

This book includes unique representatives of the flora and fauna of the Crimean Peninsula. Nowadays, this list of rare animals and plants of the Crimea is constantly replenished with new endangered species. Crimea is a truly unique place; some plants and representatives of the animal world that are on the territory of the peninsula are not found anywhere else in Russia.

How is it entered into the Red Book

Any KK is, in fact, a directory of rare, endangered representatives of local flora and fauna. Depending on the region, it can include a different number of species. In some regions, there are quite a few endangered species, in others - much less. In many respects, it depends on the level of development of technical progress, on the presence of large industrial enterprises in the region, on the level of environmental pollution. Representatives local flora and fauna are added to this list if:

The plant or animal is rare;
The representative of flora or fauna is an endangered species;
The plant or animal is under threat of destruction;
Rare plants and animals have great practical benefits for humans (for example, when it comes to medicinal plants or fur animals).

Crimea also has its own spacecraft. Now that Crimea has become part of Russia, representatives of the endangered species of the Crimean flora and fauna are under the protection of Russian environmental public organizations. The purposeful destruction of rare animals and plants of the Crimea is punished in accordance with Russian law.

In the CC of the Crimea, as in the books of other Russian regions, there are several sections. It features endangered and rare medicinal and ornamental plants, insects, mammals, reptiles and reptiles. It also includes rare bird species. You can get acquainted with the CC of Crimea on the Internet, you can also borrow a paper version of the book from any local library.

Visually, it looks like a thick book with a hard red cover. Inside contains descriptions of endangered and rare representatives of the Crimean flora and fauna. Each description looks like this: name (both Russian name and official scientific name in Latin) , photo and quick reference about this species. For ease of use, the book is divided into sections and headings, according to families, classes, subgroups of animals and plants.

The inclusion of rare plants and animals in the number of endangered species helps to draw public attention to their rapid disappearance. CC is a great way to remind people that the wildlife of their native land requires respect. Man should be an intelligent master of nature, but not a tyrant or despot. Otherwise, the consequences of human activity may be unpredictable.

Targets and goals

KK Crimea was first created shortly before the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. At that time, the peninsula was part of the Ukrainian Republic. In Soviet times, Crimea was actively developing. New industrial enterprises were built in the city, the tourist infrastructure was rapidly developing. On the one hand, these the changes had a positive impact on the regional economy: new jobs have appeared in Crimea, the standard of living has improved on the peninsula. But, on the other hand, man's technogenic activity, combined with the rapid development of scientific and technological progress, always has a negative impact on the state of living nature.

Also, the extinction of rare species to some extent contributed to the intensive development of tourism. Reserved corners of nature, where no human foot has set foot before, have become available to numerous vacationers. In the protected corners of the peninsula, like mushrooms after rain, numerous recreation centers have grown. Tourists vacationing at these bases did not always behave correctly in relation to wildlife. In order to rectify this situation, and was created Red Book of the Crimea Peninsula... Botanists and zoologists set themselves the following goals and objectives:

Protect endangered species of animals and plants living on the territory of the peninsula from complete extinction;
Promote an increase in the population of rare species of animals and plants;
To draw public attention to the ecological problems of the peninsula;
Inform the population of the peninsula about the need for a careful, attentive attitude to rare species.

The main task of the creators was to protect the local nature from the negative influence of human activity. Botanists and zoologists have coped with this task brilliantly. Over the past twenty years, it has been repeatedly reprinted and supplemented.

Its study is included in the official curriculum of the school biology course in regional secondary schools. Also, special "nature lessons" are periodically held in local schools. During such lessons, pupils of primary and secondary school age get acquainted with the CC of the Crimea and learn to take care of the nature of their native land.

The Crimean Peninsula is on the Black Sea coast, therefore, not only animals, birds and plants, but also fish, marine animals and rare seaweeds, which are actively used to treat various diseases, are officially listed in the local book. This book also includes rare rodents that live exclusively on the territory of Crimea.

Rare animals of Crimea

Many rare animals live in Crimea. These are animals of different types. In the local book you can find such representatives of the local fauna as:

Reptiles;
Amphibians;
Reptiles:
Mammals.

Among the animals that, for various reasons, entered the CC of the Crimea, there are various rare species of toads and rodents as well as endangered species of reptiles such as the viper and the yellow snake. The viper venom is used as a medicine, and the mass destruction of vipers has led to the fact that these snakes are fewer and fewer. Perhaps drawing attention to this situation will help fix this problem.

Also, the local book includes a large number of rare birds, for example, the crane. The disappearance and extinction of many bird species is largely due to the massive development of hunting as a way of active recreation.

Animals of different species, as a rule, are officially recognized as rare or endangered due to but purposeful human activity aimed at the destruction of these species (hunting, fishing, making medicines from the poison released by animals). Also, some species of plants and animals are dying due to the fact that their habitat is gradually changing (for example, there is a construction of recreation centers for tourists in previously secluded places).

Plants

A lot of rare plant species are included in the KC of the Crimea. The following types of plants can be distinguished:

Medicinal;
Poisonous;
Ornamental plants (flowers and herbs);
Plants that are actively used as animal feed.

Poisonous plants (such as belladonna) tend to disappear because people purposefully destroy them. Medicinal plants disappear due to the fact that they are massively harvested as a medicinal raw material local herbalists. Ornamental plants are often destroyed by tourists. Plants that feed wild and domestic animals are also rapidly disappearing, especially if the number of animals that feed on this plant is actively growing.

Rare plants are gradually disappearing, mainly due to the fact that their habitual habitat is gradually changing and disappearing. To prevent the complete disappearance of rare varieties of Crimean plants, the best solution would be to create special greenhouses and winter gardens. The main thing is to create suitable conditions for plants that are close to natural. It is also necessary to regularly inform tourists about the need for adequate behavior in nature. A tourist living at a recreation center or making a hike through the protected corners of the Crimean peninsula should know for sure: it is strictly forbidden to pick flowers and break trees in nature, and fires can only be made in specially designated places.

Where else can you learn about rare plants and animals of Crimea

The regional government of the Crimean peninsula, with the support of local environmental non-profit organizations and with the support of the government of the Russian Federation, is actively promoting respect for the nature of their native land. For children and adults, themed events are regularly held aimed at getting to know their native nature and studying the local flora and fauna.

You can learn about endangered species of wildlife on the Crimean Peninsula not only from the Red Book. This information can also be obtained from specialized literature on botany and zoology. Propaganda protection of native nature actively carried out in the Crimean mass media. Local environmental organizations are actively working with young people to preserve and enhance the natural resources of their native land.

The Red Book of Crimea is a unique reference book on botany and zoology. From it you can not only learn about rare species of local animals and birds, but also find out what impact human activities have on the state of the region's nature. Studying the Book is fun. Information will make people think about preserving unique flora and fauna Crimea, as well as the neutralization of the destructive influence of man on wildlife.

Dangerous plants of Crimea should be known not only by the inhabitants of the peninsula, but also by those who came to visit. Every traveler unknowingly can pick a poisonous flower or eat a life-threatening berry.

The Crimean nature is very beautiful, but to the same extent it can be dangerous if you do not know the dangerous plants of the Crimea. We have already talked about some of them, in this article there are ten of the most beautiful dangerous plants of the Crimea, which can lure with their wonderful flowers or bright berries.

Dangerous plants of Crimea - ordinary dope

Those who read Bazhov's fairy tales in childhood may recall the famous stone flower - the ideal bowl, which was created by the master Danil in the almost unattainable image of a dope flower.

The inhabitants of Crimea have appreciated its beauty for a long time. Datura, which grows everywhere in Crimea, is often used by local residents as an ornamental plant.

Even more often in the Crimean gardens and parks one can find large white gramophones of Indian dope. But this poisonous plant became famous not only for its beauty, but also for its other properties.

There are only folk names that indicate what they are worth: stupid grass, mad potion, stupid drunk, stray grass ...

And all these names are well deserved, since the plant is poisonous and is a strong hallucinogen. Therefore, shamans and priests of some tribes and peoples, knowing safe dosages, took it to enter a trance.

In India, there was even a profession - a poisoner with dope. The "professional" through a tube blew into the nose of a sniffing man a powder of dope seeds, which made him fall asleep even harder, and the thieves easily, without any obstacles, carried the property out of the house.

But, like many other well-known poisons, dope alkaloids in the correct proportions have been used since ancient times in medicine.

Dangerous plants of Crimea - crocus

Light purple or pink flowers, which have opened their buds in the fall, on the eve of winter cold, and gave the name to the flower - crocus. But their innocent defenselessness is very deceiving - the flower is very poisonous. There are over 20 toxins in colchicum juice, and some of them pose a deadly threat.

Even gardeners are advised to work with the crocus with gloves.

The literature describes cases of death of people who were treated as prescribed by healers with his broth. Another name for this plant is colchicum.

According to ancient Greek myth, this plant sprouted from drops of blood of Prometheus, who was chained to the Caucasus Mountains and was tormented by an eagle, and adorned the garden of the goddess Artemis in Colchis.

On the peninsula, there are two species of crocus that are similar to each other: shady, which blooms in autumn, and winter Ankara. Moreover, the first of them is often confused with the more common but harmless plant blooming also in autumn - the beautiful crocus.

Dangerous plants of Crimea - flower "Hamlet" or henbane

The very name of this plant for many evokes a clear association with the brilliant work of the great English playwright William Shakespeare. After all, it was the bleached one who poisoned the king.

This plant, which is common for the peninsula, with not very catchy, but very attractive flowers, is also associated with the Russian expression: "Are you overeating henbane?" Indeed, the symptoms of poisoning with it are so expressive that the well-known physician and scientist Avicena wrote: "The henbane poison, which often causes insanity, deprives memory and causes suffocation and demoniacal possession."

A common cause of poisoning is the similarity of henbane seeds to safe poppy seeds, especially attractive to young children. Dr. Mettesi noted:

Children, having gorged themselves with henbane, fall into such extravagance that their relatives, not knowing the reasons, begin to think that these are the intrigues of evil spirits.

However, using a precise dosage, henbane is included in some anti-asthma medications and is also used as a pain reliever.

Dangerous plants of Crimea - arum or forest pencil

In April-May, an exotic arum-like flower appears in the Crimean forests. Its single petal is also compared to a wing, hence the name of the rarest of the three species growing on the peninsula - white-winged arum.

Despite its peculiar decorativeness, the Crimean arum did not receive popularity due to its sharp and very unpleasant smell.

However, to flies - their pollinators, the amber that comes from these flowers seems to be a very attractive scent. The unusual flowers of the eastern arum have two phases of flowering - male and female.

Flies, having visited a plant with a male flowering period, after a while land on a female one and slide inside. At the same time, threadlike outgrowths that are directed downward prevent them from getting out of the flower. The flies have no choice but to crawl on the ear located at the base of the flower, pollinating it with the pollen brought.

After that, the arum enters the male flowering phase, removes all its traps and releases the flies to freedom. And everything repeats again.

All types of Crimean arum are toxic. In summer, the ears ripen and become covered in attractive orange berries. If you eat them, at least a few pieces, then severe inflammation of the oral cavity occurs and characteristic signs of poisoning appear.

In some places of the Crimea, arum is called forest pencils for the ability of the rod located in the center of the inflorescence to paint the surface. This interesting property attracts children who, playing with "forest pencils", put themselves in serious danger.

Dangerous plants of Crimea - fighter or aconite

In the beech forest of Crimea, you can find a very beautiful perennial herb from the buttercup family with bright blue or purple flowers. Its most popular names are aconite or wrestler.

According to ancient Greek mythology, the wrestler emerged from the poisonous saliva of the formidable guardian of the underworld of Hades - the three-headed dog Cerberus, who was brought to earth by the great hero Hercules. This suggests that the plant has been considered one of the most poisonous since ancient times.

The ancient Greeks used the plant to carry out death sentences. There is even a known case when the legionnaires of the Roman emperor Mark Antony, having eaten several tubers of aconite, lost their memory and soon died.

According to one of the ancient legends, the famous conqueror Tamerlane died, poisoned by the poison of aconite, with which his skullcap was impregnated. The juice of a poisonous plant was used in those days to make poison arrows. That is why in many countries the very possession of the aconite root was considered a serious crime and was punishable by death.

Dangerous plants of Crimea - berry yew

A tree covered with ancient legends, a long-lived tree, a welcome decoration of Crimean parks. However, such popularity could not protect the berry yew from brutal extermination.

In ancient times, whole forests of berry yew grew in the Crimea, but now there are very few old trees left. The age of the berry yew can be very respectable - some trees have more than a thousand years.

The widespread destruction of yew was caused by its beautiful, durable, almost eternal wood, painted in different shades of red. That is why it was also called mahogany. In Ancient Egypt, sarcophagi were made from it, and later in Europe - very expensive furniture.

The best bows were made from the viscous wood of berry yew. But due to the toxicity of the tree, those who processed it lived very little.

Ancient legends have survived that in the old days beautiful cups were created from berry yew, which were then donated to enemies in the hope of poisoning them. In fact, Pliny the Elder was already aware of the toxicity of the berry yew.

Everything is poisonous in a tree: wood, seeds, needles, bark, roots. The exception is juicy shells similar to berries. Sweetish, but not distinguished by exquisite taste - they are completely harmless. The danger is that if they are eaten together with the fruit (bone), poisoning is inevitable. There is evidence that even those involved in pruning yew branches have headaches.

Dangerous plants of Crimea - peony

It is unlikely that any other flower in the Crimea can compete with the bright splendor of forms and colors with the highest world of the flora - luxurious peonies. As befits aristocrats, they have been leading their history in park culture since ancient times.

Already two millennia ago, their delicate peony flowers adorned the imperial gardens of China. They were taken to the courtyard from the south of the country in specially made bamboo baskets, and to protect them from wilting, each stem of the flower was covered with wax.

The ancient Greeks appreciated the peony not only for its beauty, but also for its amazing healing properties. Even doctors in those days were called pionies. There is a myth about Peon - a disciple of the god of healing Aesculapius, who surpassed his mentor's abilities. This caused the anger of God, and he ordered Hades to poison this talented young man.

However, the last moment the ruler of the underworld took pity on the dying young man and turned him into a flower of extraordinary beauty. Like many Crimean medicinal plants, peonies are poisonous. Everything in it is toxic - from rhizomes, petals, seeds. Therefore, the accuracy of dosage of drugs based on them of peony is vital. The flora of the peninsula is adorned with two types of peonies, which compete with each other for their splendor. But, unfortunately, their number is decreasing throughout the Crimea.

Dangerous plants of Crimea - Heracleum or Hercules flower

White caps of inflorescences against the background of beautiful carved leaves already in themselves clearly distinguish this plant from all others. But it impresses even more with its majestic size.

Under favorable conditions, some types of hogweed grow up to 4 meters with a leaf area of up to 1 square meter. Moreover, the diameter of the inflorescence often reaches 60 centimeters.

For such a powerful become and a very high growth rate - 10-12 centimeters per day, he received his Latin name - heracleum.

Surprised by his extraordinary appearance, residents of central Russia brought his seeds from the Caucasus, the Urals and other regions. Having mastered in a new place as an ornamental plant, the hogweed soon went out of control and, conquering the vicinity of the peninsula, began to displace many local species, becoming a malicious weed.

But after it turned out that the handsome man is not only fertile, but also very poisonous. Even touching this plant can cause a serious chemical burn, so remember it well and try to admire its beauty only from the outside during the flowering period.

Dangerous plants of Crimea - buttercup or Ares flower

Affectionately sounding name of the plant "buttercup" actually comes from a formidable, even ferocious epithet - fierce. Its bright yellow, like varnished flowers have received another popular name - night blindness.

This was most likely due to the irritating effect of the juice on the mucous membranes, including the eyes. Of the beautifully flowering toxic plants of the Crimean peninsula in terms of the number of species - he is a true champion - of 23 species, all are poisonous.

Skin contact with the plant can cause severe dermatitis, and the likely outcome of ingestion is fatal. In antiquity, the buttercup was a symbol of malevolent teasing and served as the emblem of the formidable god of war Ares.

In the Ottoman Empire, buttercup leaves were widely used in greenhouses and became a symbol of the greatness of the sultans. In Ancient Russia, it was considered the flower of the thunderer Perun. And according to one of the Christian legends, fleeing from the Archangel Michael, Satan was hiding among the thickets of the buttercup, which is why the flower became so evil.

Lily of the valley is popularly called a lantern for gnomes. This plant from the lily family, despite its modest appearance, has won the hearts of all many peoples. Small snow-white, sometimes pink graceful lily of the valley flowers, similar to magic bells, exude a delicate refined aroma that does not leave anyone indifferent.

In terms of the number of legends and myths, it is unlikely that he will find competitors. In a Christian legend, lilies of the valley grew on the tears of Mary that fell to the ground, mourning her crucified son.

In Russian legends and epics, his appearance is associated with the Magus - the sea princess. Sadko rejected the love of the sea maiden for the sake of an earthly girl named Lyubava. And her bitter tears sprouted in delicate and a little sad flowers.

According to another legend, on the contrary, lily of the valley flowers are the happy laughter of Mavka in love, scattered like pearls through the forest.

In Western Europe, it was believed that lily of the valley flowers served as lanterns for gnomes, and miniature elves hide in them from the rain.

Lily of the valley flowers are still loved today. In France, on the first Sunday of May, the lily of the valley festival is held, and the Finns even consider it their national flower. Since ancient times, the medicinal properties of lily of the valley have been widely known. In medieval Europe, he became a symbol of medicine.
However, lily of the valley is completely poisonous.

Few people know that this plant ripens in autumn, bright red, appetizing-looking fruits, which can be seriously poisoned if eaten. There are even known cases with a fatal outcome, when water was accidentally drunk, in which there was a bouquet of lilies of the valley.