CSE Plants Georgia, 2015.

Plant images may be viewed by clicking on the purple CSE plant number.

CSE Sites in Georgia, 2015.

Site images may be viewed by clicking on the purple site number.

15/01
10/02/15. Close to Akhalhaba, Borjomi district.
Altitude: 746m., Shade: 40%, Aspect: East south-east. Slope: 45°, Soil type: Clayey (fine) humus.
Species: Cyclamen coum (vernum, Sweet).
Habitat: Open woodland, Growing conditions: Loose soil with leaf litter, 40% plant cover. Further along slight grazing pressure ‘pushed’ some colonies amongst shrubs, e.g. Carpinus orientalis.
Associated Plants: Helleborus caucasicus, Cornus mas, Carpinus caucasica, Fagus orientalis, Geum urbanum, Smilax excelsa, Clematis vitalbe, Rubus fruticosus agg, Galeobdolon luteum, Galium sp., Sedum ?spurium, Viola sp., Lamium ?album, Eryngium sp.
Note: Also on the other side of the road, along the canalised ditch beside the Kura river – with Primula woronowii. Moderate regeneration.

15/02
10/02/15. Borjomi beyond Likani on main road to Akhaltsikhe.
Altitude: 832m., Shade: 0-80%, Aspect: South-east. Slope: 40°, Soil type: Humus and clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum (vernum, Sweet).
Habitat: Open scrub/woodland, Growing conditions: Open areas loose soil with leaf litter, 40% plant cover. Wooded areas Cyclamen 60%, grasses 10%, leaf litter, 40% plant cover.
Associated Plants: Euphorbia purpurea, Quercus iberica, Cornus mas, Carpinus caucasica, Hyssopus officinalis, Sedum album, Teucrium polium, Teucrium sp., Rubus sp., Rosa sp., Berberis vulgaris, Hypericum perforatum, Crataegus sp., ?Perovskia sp.
Note: Good regeneration.

15/03
10/02/15. Kimotesubani – slope by church.
Altitude: 1157m., Shade: 85%, Aspect: East. Slope: 45°, Soil type: Humic.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Woodland with some scrub.
Associated Plants: Digitalis ferruginea, Serratula quinquefolia, Helleborus caucasicus, Quercus iberica, Juglans regia, Alliaria petiolata, Calamintha grandiflora, Origarnum vugare, Geun urbanum, Alnus barbata, Alcea officinalis.
Note: Poor regeneration.

15/04
11/02/15. On Imereti road just north-west of the Rikoti pass in the Likhi Mountain range.
Altitude: 672m., Shade: 20%, Aspect: South south-west. Slope: 60°, Soil type: Humic clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Scrub, Growing conditions: Well drained, steep slope, gritty surface.
Associated Plants: Alnus sp., Hedera colchica, Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. nuchense, Origanum vulgare, Galium sp., Pimpinella sp., Viola odorata, Rubus sp., Clinopodium vulgare, Sedum album, Clematis vitalba, Myosotis sylvestris, Geranium robertianum, Lactuca sp., Ilex colchica, Lamium amplexicaule, Castanea sativa.

15/05
12/02/15. Village of Bodzauri in the Acharistskali Valley, Adjara.
Altitude: 1198m., Shade: 90%, Aspect: West north-west. Slope: 40°, Soil type: Gritty loam.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Steep slope, partly stabilised by vegetation below outcropping boulders. Growing conditions: Well drained, steep slope, gritty surface. Three Juglans regia providing shade, bryophytes on boulders. Many Cyclamen in flower at bases of rocks.
Associated Plants: Geranium robertianum, Stachys balansae, Origanum vulgare, Lapsana grandiflora, Potentilla micrantha, Sedum stoloniferum, Asplenium trichomanes, Poterium sp., Rosa canina, Carpinus caucasica, Viola oderata, Poa sylvatica, Lactuca sp.
Note: Poor regeneration.

15/06
12/02/15. Kathxheva village near Dioknisi in the Acharistskali Valley, Adjara.
Altitude: 968m., Aspect: East north-east. Slope: 85°, Soil type: Humic clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Two part site consisting of steeply sloping scrub and almost sheer cliff.
Associated Plants: Festuca sp., Luzula forsteri, Poa sylvestris, Origanum vulgare, Primula woronowii, Asplenium nigrum, Sedum stoloniferum, Lapsana grandiflora, Viola odorata, Carpinus caucasica, Picea orientalis, Castanea sativa, Rhododendron ponticum, Potentilla marginata, Polypodium vulgare, Stachys balansae, Cerastium vulgare, Hieracium pilosella, Rubus caucasicus.

15/07
12/02/15. Above village of Paksadzeebi in the Acharistskali Valley, Adjara.
Altitude: 895m., Shade: 40%, Aspect: South south-west. Slope: 55°, Soil type: Clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Woodland edge by road, very small site – a single dense patch. Growing conditions: 40% shade under Carpinus caucasica.
Associated Plants: Helleborus caucasicus, Carpinus caucasica, Rubus caucasicus, Hedera helix, Primula woronwii, Potentilla marginata, Viola odorata.

15/08
12/02/15. Above hydro electric works being built below village of Paksadzeebi in the Acharistskali Valley, Adjara.
Altitude: 806m., Shade: 40%, Aspect: West. Slope: 85°, Soil type: Gritty clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Light woodland beside road.
Associated Plants: Helleborus caucasicus, Poa sylvestris, Lapsana grandiflora, Potentilla marginata, P. recta, Viola odorata, Origanum vulgare, Primula woronwii, Sedum stoloniferum, Lamium maculatum, Rosa canina, Cardamine hirsuta, Taraxacum officinale agg., Poterium oliganum, Itsea orientalis, Veronica sp., Urtica dioica.

15/09
12/02/15. Khulo by main road below churchyard.
Altitude: 900m., Shade: 10%, Aspect: South-east. Slope: 70°, Soil type: Gritty clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Light woodland at top of steep slope, much bare soil, leaf litter, outcropping rocks.
Associated Plants: Sedum album, Cardamine hirsuta, Veronica hederifolia, Geranium rotundifolium, Lithospernum aureum, Cirsium vulgare, Rumex acetosella, Daucus carota, Poterium oliganum, Senecio vernalis, Silene balansae, Coronilla orientalis, Rubus caucasicus, Poa annua, Trifolium carmestris, Minuartia oreina, Allium rotundum, Quercus sp., Robinia pseudoacacia, Rosa canina, Crataegus pentagyna, Picea orientalis, Hedera Ilex.

15/10
13/02/15. Chao.
Altitude: 611m., Shade: 50%, Aspect: South. Slope: variable up to 65°, Soil type: Gritty clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Open woodland/scrub with some outcropping boulders beside main road Chao to Batumi.
Associated Plants: Anemone blanda, Euphorbia, pontica, Cardamine hirsuta, Viola odorata, Geranium dissectum, G. rotundifolium, Asplenium trichomanes, A. nigrum, Quecus sp., Pinus sosnowskyi, Itsea orientalis, Rosa canina, Sedum album, S. hispanicum, Oxalis violacea, Hypericum orientale, Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. nuchense, Origanum vugare, Carex sylvatica, Poa sylvestris, Rhus coriaria, Allium rotundum, Silene sp., Coronilla orientalis, Argyrolobium calycinum, Stachys iberica, S. pubescens, Fragaria vesca, Poterium polygamum, Leontodon hispidus, Veronica chamaedrys, Erodium cicutarium, Crataegus sp., Prunella vulgaris, Clinopodium vulgare, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex acetosella, Rubus hirtus, Dorycnium calycinum, Berteroa mutabilis, Primula sibthorpii, Melandrium balansae

15/11
13/02/15. Nenia village, Shuakhevi district.
Altitude: 581m., Aspect: South south-west. Slope: 55°, Soil type: Gritty clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Pinus sosnowskyi, Cyclamen below Pteridium tauricum on steepest bits of slope.
Associated Plants: Juniperus oxycedrus, Quecus sp., Castanea sativa, Picea orientalis, Rhus coriaria, Rubus hirtus, Pteridium tauricum, Poa sylvestris, Allium rotundum, Cardamine hirsuta, Viola odorata, Clinopodium vulgare, Anthemis woronowii, Prunella vugaris, Bellis perenis, Eurphorbia pontica, Hypericum inodorum, H. orientalis, Berteroa mutabilis, Hieracium pilosella, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, A. trichomanes, Geranium rotundifolium, Fragaria vesca, Poterium polygamum, Sedum album, Dorycnium calycinum, Silene italica.

15/12
13/02/15. Shuakhevi district, Chavanistskali river gorge, Takidzeebi. Picnic spot by main road.
Altitude: 432m., Aspect: South west, Soil type: Course surface sand.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Steep slope dominated by Cistus or Bryum spp. in substantial mats several m² in area. Cistus providing 100% shade over large areas, outcropping strata. Growing conditions: Two communities, under Cistus as above or in open (mossy) areas, with Cyclamen tending to grow on edges of outcropping strata.
Associated Plants: Muscari armeniacum, Sedum album, S. hipanicum, Polypodium vugare, Bryum sp., Cladonia chlorophaea, C. rangiformis, Quecus sp., Carpinus caucasica, Cistus salvifolius, Pyracantha coccinea, Smilax excelsa, Rhus coriaria, Peltigera spuria, Satureja spicigera, Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. nuchense, Scabiosa walenovskyase, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Asplenium trichomanes, A. septentrionale, Adiantum nigrum, Rosa canina, Allium rupestre, A. rotundum, Argyrolobium calycinum, Silene sp., Crataegus pentagyna, Prunus divaricata, Daucus carota, Polypodium vulgare, Poa silatica, Origanum vulgare, Galium subuliferum, Coronilla orientalis, Poterium polygamum, Plantago lanceolata, Berteroa mutabilis, Oxalis violace, Cardamine hirsuta, Stachys iberica.

15/13
13/02/15. West of Pirveli Maisi.
Altitude: 162m., Shade: 40%, Aspect: South-east. Slope: 40°, Soil type: Gritty humic clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Open woodland (mostly Juglans regia). Growing conditions: 100% cover over most of area, occasional outcropping boulders.
Associated Plants: Galanthus alpinus, Helleborus caucasicus, Pteridium tauricum, Hedera helix, Viola odorata, Veronica chamaedrys, Bellis perennis, Potentilla marginata, Ranunculus bulbosus, Veronic hederifolia, Jugans regia, Crataegus microphylla, Dentauria quinquefolia, Corydalis caucasica, Sambucus ebulus, Erigeron bonariensis, Cardamine hirsuta, Castanea sativa, Stellaria media, Euphorbia stricta, Polypodium vulgare, Urtica dioica, Dryopteris affinis, Sedum stoloniferum, Symphytum album, Asplenium trichomanes, A. adiantum-nigrum, Osmanthus decorus, Polystichum aculeatum, Chelidonium majus, Smilax excelsa, Ficaria grandiflora, Geranium robertianum, Anemone blanda, Aristolochia iberica.

15/14
14/02/15. Mtirala National Park, Chakvistavi river gorge.
Altitude: 242m., Shade: 100%, Aspect: West north-west. Slope: 72°, Soil type: Clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum f. albissimum.
Habitat: Woodland and small patches of scrub, the latter in grazed areas. Growing conditions: Woodland, plants amongst leaf litter and moss covered boulders.
Associated Plants: Alnus barbata, Jugans regia, Corylus avellana, Sambucus nigra, S. ebulus, Rhododendron ponticum, Rubus caucasicus, Hedera colchica, Carpinus caucasica, Galanthus woronowii, Ficaria grandiflora, Arum albispathum, Dentauria quinquefolia, Corydalis caucasica, Cardamine hirsuta, Stellaria media, Potentilla marginata, Phyllitis scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Polypodium vulgare, Asplenium trichomanes, A. adiantum-nigrum, Euphorbia stricta, Dryopteris affinis, Poa annua, Carex sylvatica, Castanea sativa, Digitalis ferruginea, Bellis perennis, Ranunculus bulbosus, Glechoma hederacea, Rumex sp.
Note: Acceptable regeneration, but no reliable evidence of red vs white flowered plants.

15/15
14/02/15. Gonio, on seafront towards Kvariati.
Altitude: 23m., Shade: 50%, Aspect: West, Slope: >36°, Soil type: Made up.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Mixed scrub largely on made up soil. Growing conditions: Amongst grasses and scrub at the base of a near vertical cliff.
Associated Plants: Helleborus caucasicus, Hedera colchica, H. helix, Dentauria quinquefolia, Smilax excelsa, Pteridium tauricum, Pimula vulgaris ssp. sibthorpii, Lonicera caprifolium, sundry grasses.

15/16
15/02/15. River Magana gorge below turn off to power station.
Altitude: 460m., Shade: 0%, Aspect: East north-east, Slope: 40°, Soil type: Clay soil with much grit comparable with rendzina.
Species: Cyclamen coum (adzharicum Pobed).
Habitat: Soil at base of vertical cliff. Growing conditions: Moist, extremely well drained with very gritty soil.
Associated Plants: Erysimum repandum, Rubus sp., Ficus carica, Asplenium trichomanes, A. ruta-muraria, Potentilla marginata, Dianthus charadsae, Ceterach officinarum, Geranium robertianum, Sedum oppositifolium, S. album, Viola odorata, Carpinus caucasica, Mosses on rocks, Campanula alliariifolia, Hedera colchica, plantago lanceolata, Trifolium sp., Polypodium vulgare, Veronica chamaedrys, Rosa canina, Primula woronowii.
Note: Moderate regeneration.

15/17
15/02/15. Near Lakhvani village in the Enguri Valley, Svaneti.
Altitude: 724m., Shade: 100%, Aspect: East, Slope: 27°, Soil type: Fine humic clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Woodland of Corylus and Alnus barbata with outcropping moss covered boulders.
Associated Plants: Hedera colchica, Alnus barbata, Corylus ?avellana, Rubus sp., Galanthus woronowii, Picea orientalis, Helleborus caucasicus, Asplenium trichomanes, Polypodium vulgare, Carpinus caucasica, Potentilla micrantha, Primula woronowii, Polystichum sp., Oxalis acetosella, Geranium robertianum, Digitalis ferruginea, Peltigera canina (on mossy rocks), Sedum stoloniferum. Moss on boulders mainly Hypnum cupressiforme and leafy liverworts.

15/18
16/02/15. Tskhenistskali River Valley, southwest of Tsageri, Lechkhumi District.
Altitude: 308m., Shade: 60%, Aspect: West north-west, Slope: 0-55°, Soil type: Clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Open woodland. Growing Conditions: Cyclamen growing in ballast etc. at side of road.
Associated Plants: Colchicum woronowii, Robinia pseudoacacia, Alnus barbata, Jugans regia, Corylus avellana, Smilax excelsa, Rubus sp., Hedera colchica, H. helix, Laurocerasus officinalis, Pachyphragma macrophyllum, Glechoma hederacea, Stellaria media, Symphytum grandiflorum, Matteuccia struthiopteris, Arum albispathum, Fragaria vesca, Potentilla micrantha, Phyllitis scolopendrium, Urtica dioica, Dentaria quinquefolia, Oplismenus undulatifolius, Viola odorata, V. woronowii, Primula woronowii, Ranunculus ficaria, Lamium galeobdolon.
Note: Very little regeneration – dense leaf litter?

15/19
16/02/15. Lentekhi district, Gudauri village Tsichenistketi gorge.
Altitude: 1053m., Shade: 30%, Aspect: South south-west, Slope: 40°, Soil type: Clay, humic, gritty.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Light scrub. Growing Conditions: Reasonably open, lowish herb cover, extensive bare soil and leaf litter. A few patches of snow remaining.
Associated Plants: Castanea sativa, Rosa sp., Quercus sp., Corylus avellana, Digitalis ferruginea, Myosotis sylvatica, Potentilla micrantha, Pteridium aquilinum, clinopodium vulgare, Primula woronowii, Sedum album, S. stoloniferum, Rubus sp., Polypodium vulgare, Asplenium trichomanes, Crataegus sp., Carpinus caucasica.

15/20
17/02/15. Surroundings of Nakhshirghele, River Tsichishura gorge.
Altitude: 1066m., Shade: 100%, Aspect: North north-east, Slope: 22°, Soil type: Clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum (vernum, Sweet).
Habitat: Dense woodland with herb and shrub layer. Growing Conditions: Dense leaf litter in hollows.
Associated Plants: Erythronium caucasicum, Carpinus caucasica, Ruscus ponticus, Smilax excelsa, Zelkova carpinifolia, Primula woronowii, Lathyrus sp., Taraxacum sp., Trifolium sp., Hedera helix, Viola odorata, Cornus mas, Rosa canina, Rubus sp., Arum albispathum, Colchicum umbrosum, Prunus divaricata, Fragaria vesca, Vinca minor, Crataegus sp.
Note: Regeneration moderate at best, may improve as more seedlings emerge above leaf litter.

15/21
17/02/15. Above Nichbisi on road to Didgori, Trialeti Mountains northwest of Tbilisi.
Altitude: 957m., Shade: 100%, Aspect: South south-east, Slope: 18°, Soil type: Humic clay.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Dense scrub, largely Carpinus, with open patches. Good plants of Juniperus oblonga. Growing Conditions: Lightly grazed by cattle. Dense leaf litter over much of the ground, often flattened by snow.
Associated Plants: Linum sp., Carpinus orientalis, C. caucasica, Juniperus oblonga, Helianthemum grandiflorum, Falcaria sp., Filipendula vulgaris, Galium sp., Cornus mas, Rosa canina.
Note: Moderate regeneration.

15/22
18/02/15. Nekresi monastery, Kvareli district.
Altitude: 399m., Shade: 100%, Aspect: West, Slope: 40°, Soil type: Humus.
Species: Cyclamen coum
Habitat: Light woodland, deep leaf litter.
Associated Plants: Carpinus caucasica, Cornus mas, Corylus avellana, Smilax excelsa, Fraxinus excelsior, Dentauria quinquefolia, Galanthus lagodechianus, Scilla siberica, Primula woronowii, Viola odorata, Rubus sp., Hedera helix, Glechoma hederacea, Prunus divaricata, Lonicera caprifolium, Aristolochia iberica, Carex sp.

15/23
19/02/15. Tsitsamuri village, Mtskheta district.
Altitude: 555m., Shade: 100%, Aspect: West south-west, Slope: 27°.
Species: Cyclamen coum.
Habitat: Lightly grazed woodland. Growing conditions: Shallow but continuous leaf litter below Carpinus caucasica.
Associated Plants: Carpinus caucasica, Paliurus spina-christi, Quercus iberica, Myosotis sp. Taraxacum sp., Veronica sp., Stellaria media, Crocus speciosus, Fraxinus excelsior, Gagea sp., Viola oderata, Geranium robertianum, Gernaium sp., Ranunculus bulbosus.
Note: Good regeneration especially in areas less crowded with herb layer.

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Acknowledments. This trip could not have been successful without the support we received in the Republic of Georgia, and we would like especially to thank our friend Manana Khutsishvili, Head of the Herbarium at the Ilia State University Institute of Botany; our guide Nina from the Batumi Botanic Garden (their help with plant identification was invaluable) and our driver Temuri Siukaev (very knowledgeable and a lovely guy to travel with). We are also very grateful to Teona Karchava of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Georgia for granting us permission to collect and export plant material, and Clare Trivedi of the Millenium Seedbank Partnership, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (Wakehurst Place) for allowing us to use their 4WD vehicle.