Kyrgyzia
Flowers of the Silk Road
A Greentours Reconnaissance Report
14th – 24th June 2012
Led by Chris Gardner
Day 1

Turkey to Bishkek - Too-Ashuu and Ala-Bel passes

The overnight flight arrived at 5.30am Kyrgyz time which was 2.30am Turkish which meant I’d
had virtually no sleep and was a tad dazed. Nonetheless after I’d met my driver Alexander all
essential supplies were bought and we drove off towards the mountains with me snoozing
until we started climbing. A scattering of Eremurus fuscus were lower down but it wasn’t until
we’d reached over 2500m than drifts of Trollius pumilus (?), Anemone narcissiflora subsp.
protracta and Myosotis asiatica appeared. Unfortunately as we exited the tunnel thick fog greeted
us on the other side so I’ve no idea what was there! However, it didn’t take long to descend
below the fog and start finding rich alpine turf with abundant Phlomis oreophila, Pedicularis
dolichorhiza, a pretty Ligularia sp and the striking golden heads of Eremostachys speciosus all
mingled together. I flushed a female Rock Thrush and a pair of Citrine Wagtails were equally
unimpressed with my attempts to photograph the floral display. The latter were actually very
common all day in any area of damp ground. A little further on was the pretty pink Pedicularis
amoena and the last flowers of Paeonia anomala (?). There were more of the latter at my next stop
(although all bar one a bit past it) for an area of Caragana scrub brimming with Aconitum
leucostonum and a few Cortusa broteri. A stunning male Bluethroat popped out into full view
and male Rosefinches sang constantly as if not a bit irritated by me crashing about the scrub.
There were mini-forests of tall fennels covering the hillsides and roadsides were choked with
plumes of Polygonum undulatum.
We reached our accommodation surrounded by steppe with lots of Eremostachys speciosa and a
pink Allium sp and after lunch set off for another pass. Nature’s paintbrush had been well and
truly out here as we encountered huge spreads of orange Trollius altaicus, vast pink carpets of
Primula algida and blue and white sploshes of Myosotis and an unidentified legume. Over the
pass and we descended a way before finding immense stands of Eremurus fuscus crowded
together. In fact the higher slopes consisted of vast acreages of this species yet to flower. Drier
slopes lower down had spreading mats of Scutellaria orientalis and in denser forest were lovely
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shaggy-barked birch trees and stately dark-green Picea schrenkiana. We retraced our steps in
time for dinner and then some much needed shut-eye.

Day 2

To Kochor

It was a beautiful clear sunny morning with big views all around of the mountains and I spent
some time before breakfast looking at the steppe that surrounded the area populated with big
heads of Eremostachys speciosus and a pink Allium sp. Lapwings flew about as the horses were
rounded up for milking and Skylarks sang constantly. After breakfast we set off east driving
across the expansive steppe with clumps of deep purple red Lindelofia stylosa along the
roadside, a pair of Montagu’s Harriers and Red-headed Buntings. Passing through a couple of
dusty villages we rattled on into a narrower gorge where the slopes held large numbers of
Eremurus fuscus and a delicate Ferula sp. As well as pale yellow Scutellaria przewalskii (?) and
yellow-orange Glaucium squamigerum with long rough seed pods. A Golden Eagle soared above
the ridge for a while and plenty of butterflies were on the wing with Clouded Apollo, Spotted
and Glanville Fritillaries. Not much further along and we stopped for some superb mats of
reddish-pink Lotus sp that spread out across the granite screes together with a few Arnebia
guttata. From here we drove for a while stopping occasionally for views of a gigantic scree field
or the colourful dry hills, also seeing a couple of Rollers and a few Bee-eaters before stopping
for a quick lunch. Another area of steppe had a lovely mix of flowers including an unknown
Hedysarum, Lagochilus sp with red-striped white flowers and some good plants of purplespotted bright yellow Arnebia guttata amongst other things. Clumps of Iris spuria subsp.
sogdiana were common in damper places under the poplars that lined the road in places and
elsewhere were creamy Sophora aloperceuroides, blue Echium vulgare more Bee-eaters, Rollers,
Red-headed Buntings, Isabelline and Lesser Grey Shrikes. Unfortunately the pass beyond has
to be the least flowery pass I’ve ever encountered with not a single bloom! But that was no
matter as it was only another hour or so to our comfortable guesthouse with a courtyard and
garden decorated with many showy peony hybrids.

Day 3

Song-Kul and Dolon Pass

Poor weather was forecast but the day began well enough, driving directly through rather
uninspiring grasslands to the pass above Song-Kul seeing a male Blue-fronted Redstart and
flushing out chunky Red Marmots as we climbed. As we neared the top many alpine flowers
began to appear and near the many snow patches were hundreds of superb ice-blue Trollius
lilacina a real stunner. Various plants included small cushions of a creamy Androsace sp, the
unusual yellow bells of Tulipa heterophylla, an attractive purple flowered mat-forming pea
Oxytrpis chionobia and the yellow-flowered saxifrage Saxifraga flagellaris. A Golden Eagle flew
quite low over the road and Plain Mountain Finches were common. Descending towards the
lake and the broad area of grassland that surrounded it the roadside gravels held fine
Chorispora bungeana as well as a second pale yellow species, perhaps macropoda. Cushions of
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Androsace sericea appeared a bit further on then mats of a prostrate Prunella sp close to where
lunch was taken by a river with turf studded with a tiny gentian. Black-headed Gulls were
coursing over the water and a juvenile Lammergeier flew across shortly before the rain that
had been promised duly arrived.
We descended off the plateau via a steep winding road past remnant patches of spruce forest
and a few Anemone narcissiflora ssp protracta, Geranium collinum and Linum bienne. There
followed another rather flower-free tract of tall white-stemmed grasses and heavily grazed
undulating hills. There were some good views across the expansive landscape to distant ranges
although the rain kept photography to a minimum. However, this eventually cleared up once
we were back on the main road driving through a gorge with wet flushes either side. These had
plenty of pink-belled Cortusa matthiola including some huge clumps by a stream and alongside
these were the first flowers of Ligularia grandifolia and Codonopsis clematidea, as well as a long
sepalled Clematis sp. Good clumps of well-coloured Iris spuria subsp. sogdiana were the final
stop of the day before we arrived at Naryn.

Day 4

Tash Rabat

To the south of Naryn across a long tract of empty steppe, backed by the impressive At-Bashi
Mountains lays the ancient caravanserai of Tash Rabat. We drove straight to the access road
and then stopped a few kilometres short and climbed up to some limestone cliffs that had
plenty of pale-lilac Paraquilegia anemonoides plastered across the rocks. There was also the
delicate little Cortusa tianshanica, many Pulsatilla campana in the turf and beside the river in
damp flats was Primula fasciculata. Red Marmots whistled their warnings as we moved about
and in the sky above was a constant parade of Himalayan Griffon Vultures, Golden Eagles and
Lammergeier all of which dwarfed the many Choughs. We drove on to the restored
caravanserai perched on a slope in the middle of nowhere. Looking around inside the rather
foreboding structure there were grim prison holes and the remains of some original
plasterwork in the central dome. Back outside and the sun came out and illuminated the bleak
scene with sweeping hills and peaks behind.
We returned to Naryn in the afternoon stopping to see a small waterfall and in the damp areas
nearby were stands of Cortusa matthioli and a very delicate primula that looked like a cross
between Primula algida and fasciculata, whilst from the cliffs hung big fennels and Eremurus
fuscus. In the surrounding steppe were thousands of a Ligularia sp as well as Onosma irritans (?),
Ixiolirion tartaricum and a slender creamy Pedicularis sp.

Day 5

To Tamga

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We began with a short foray to a steppe covered slope near the town where I found Scutellaria
przewalskii and Rosa albertii amongst other things. Travelling north again towards Kochor I
stopped in the marshy area we’d found two days ago and had a better look around. It was a
lovely place with masses of Cortusa matthioli, Pedicularis amoena, Dactylorhiza umbrosa, shrubs
covered in trailing clematis and eventually I found an open Codonopsis clematidea with its
exquisite inner bell markings. Rosefinches and Mistle Thrush were among the scrub and a
stunning little copper perched for a while on a leaf. Continuing we climbed over the Dolon
Pass which offered little bar trollius (although in August it is awash with gentians) but
stopping at a viewpoint looking out across the expansive contorted landscape and snowy
ridges beyond the gravely area was spattered with the cushions of Androsace sericea.
Lunch was in town and then we continued on to Issy-Kul the huge lake that dominates the
map of the country. The land around was of dry steppe and hills but fringing the lake were
greener areas. One area full of a pink flowered shrubby pea led to the shore and on the way
there I saw a Brown Hare, Barred Warbler, a ‘Reed’ Warbler of some description, Broad-bodied
Chasers and then in the salt-encrusted clearings was dozens of the bizarre parasitic plant
Cynomorium songaricum, erupting from the ground as thick brown columns. Closer to the water
and there were both Mute Swans and Whooper Swans, Common Tern, Ruddy Shelduck and a
Whimbrel. A second lakeside stop produced Black-winged Stilts, Lapwings, Redshank,
Pochard and a Great Reed Warbler.
The rugged dry land behind the lake takes on some extraordinary forms and we stopped at one
such place – Fairy Canyon. There were some colourful eroded rock forms and colourful clay
deposits from which sprouted a pretty plumbaginaceous plant, Lagochilus sp, a Saussurea sp and
the shrubby, fragrant Clematis sp we had seen all day was particularly fine here. There was a
relatively short last drive to our guest house set within some fine gardens full of roses,
cornflowers, lilies and irises.

Day 6

Barskoon Pass

A rewarding day in the mountains to the south began with a drive up into the multi-ranked
Tien Shan Spruce and then way above the tree line. A few clumps of attractive Iris loczyi began
the botany and then onto an area of heavy scree where spread across one area was a superb
display of big pink Primula nivalis. Alongside were large cushions of Chorispora bungeana and
another handsome brassica Desideria flabellata, with unusually coloured flowers that varied
from pinkish to bluish-cream. Not much further up and we reached the pass which was
actually a broad plateau that extended for many kilometres with snow ridges on either side,
large flat glaciers and many alpine lakes all still half frozen over. Turning off the main road we
took a four wheel drive track across the tundra passing many white drumsticks of Smelovskia
calycina, the golden stars of Tulipa dasystemon and thousands of buttercups Ranunculus albertii
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(?). Stopping in an area of lakes I walked across to one with a sheet of bluish ice still covering at
least two thirds of the lake. The intermittent hail stopped and conditions improved revealing
reflections of the mountains in the liquid part of the lake. On the rocks was a dwarf edelweiss
and in areas of bare soil were many Oxygraphis glacialis and many more Ranunculus albertii (?),
whilst in the turf was yellow-flowered Allium semenovii (?). Wandering back to the vehicle I
looked at some snowpatches and found some superb groups and drifts of the ice-blue Trollius
lilacinus.
After lunch I explored an area of slate scree which had ‘rivers’ of white flowered Callianthemum
alatavicum running down it along with a scree-loving Ranunculus rufisepalus (?). Climbing onto
the ridge there was a magnificent view of the landscape with several lakes, one still completely
frozen over and the many snowy mountains that were now under looming grey storm clouds
with rumbles of thunder and rain lashing down. Thankfully it was heading away from me so I
carried on finding spreading mats of a Saussurea gnaphalodes with attractive woolly flowerheads
(though no flowers) and then a pretty little lilac Lagotis sp. Higher up I had good views of a pair
of gorgeous Guldenstadt’s Redstart and Alpine Choughs were buzzing around most of the
time I was there. It was clear that the next storm was coming my way this time so I beat a
retreat to the vehicle and arrived just as the rain started.

Day 7

Jeti Oghuz

Setting out from our pleasant guest house on a perfect clear day the view across the lake was
crystal clear and the long spine of the Zailinsky Alatau visible making a good backdrop for the
many fine clumps of Salvia nemorosa around which flew Central Asian Marbled Whites as
Nightingales sang from the shrubberies. We passed through an area of arable land with many
fallow fields ablaze with Echium vulgare and Hedysarum with Black Kites perched in the
roadside elms. Turning inland we arrived at an impressive series of red sandstone cliffs –
named the Jeti Oghus or Seven Bulls. A trail led to a closer view of the rocks with Swifts
hawking past and on the lushly vegetated slopes were fine stands of Dictamnus albus, Linum
altaicum (?), superb Codonopsis clematidea, Campanula glomerata and many more excellent plants.
Butterflies were numerous with High Brown Fritillary, Common Blue, Wood White, and a
Camberwell Beauty glided past. The road continued into the spruce forest where stands of
Aconitum leucostonum were abundant and here and there were the gorgeous deepest wine-red
flowers of Aquilegia atrovinosa.
A large lunch was served up in a yurt and afterwards we took a rather warm walk to a
waterfall a couple of kilometres away past meadows full of Phlomis oreophila, Trollius pumilus
and Polygonum bistorta. Around the falls were fine drifts of delicate Cortusa brotheri and Blue
Whistling Thrush called from the stream. Nutcracker were calling as we walked back to the
vehicle. The road as it was deteriorated but was still drivable and we passed big drifts of
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Pedicularis rhinanthoides and then fine stands of Polemonium caucasicum and a few Iris ruthenica.
Eventually the road ran out and we turned back and drove onto Karakol and a very nice hotel.

Day 8

Chonashu Pass

Clear skies greeted us yet again for our trip east to the 3822 metre heights of Chonashu. All
started well with a superb tract of tall meadow full of fine herbs with green Veratrum
lobelianum, blue Polemonium caucasicum, purple-blue Campanula glomerata, wine-red Aquilegia
atrovinosa and colouring the shorter turf were thousands of orange and red Hieracium sp.
Hume’s Lesser Whitethroats called from the shrubs appearing ever so often and Clouded
Apollo’s flew about the meadow. As we proceeded the roadside had plenty of deep yellow
Papaver croceum and the pretty palest pink Geranium became increasingly abundant the further
we went. The valley opened out into a wide pasture with a fine view towards the peaks and
then the road veered left and climbed into an extensive area of upper meadows that were
brimming with flowers with untold thousands of Trollius ranunculinus, many white Anemone
narcissiflora subsp protracta, the handsome red-orange heads of Rhodiola coccinea and along the
gravelly edge grew pale to mid-yellow Erysimum sp.
The scree and gravel lovers took over as we gained more height with the Erysimum colouring
the roadsides mixed in with Aster alpinus, Hesperis sp, Crepis karelinii and then the first
Chorispora bungeana. Some roadworks held us up for a while but I took the time to locate
Corydalis fedtschenkoana growing in the heavy slate scree along with more Chorispora as a
pristine Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell glided about. However, the Chorispora were particularly
impressive just below the pass where the formed large perfect spreading domes of pink-lilac
flowers completely obscuring the foliage beneath and mingled among them was a pretty little
compact yellow Draba sp. Birdlife had been surprisingly quiet all day with really only Alpine
Choughs for company.

The following day would not form part of the tour but is included here for completeness

[Day 9

Altin Arashan

It has to be said that the drive up to Altin Arashan is not a straightforward one. It entails riding
in a big Soviet UZ all terrain 4x4 and rattling and bouncing for an hour or so up a boulder
strewn track. Once there you arrive at a classic Tien Shan valley, with a wide floor and flanked
by dense forests of spruce. The priority for the day was a very special bird and we hiked up a
gentle gradient for a mile or so until we reached an area of braided river with many rocky
islands. It didn’t take long to find our first Ibisbill and then the second. They flew around us
calling loudly for a while and eventually settled only thirty or so metres away giving
sensational scope views – the best I’ve ever had. They really are one of the most stunning birds
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in the world. We continued upstream and over the next mile saw four more birds as well as
several Common Sandpipers. Florally there was little to detain us so wandering back down
there were excellent views of a small flock of Red-fronted Serins feeding on dandelion seeds.
An agitated Dipper was seen further down and Grey Wagtails were everywhere. There are hot
springs here for those that want a soak after hiking, but I wanted to walk back part of the way
we had driven in. There was an abundance of Aconitum leucostonum and many other meadow
flowers such as Codonopsis clematidea, Trollius ranunculinus and Geranium collinum, all now
familiar species.]

Day 10

To Bishkek

One last tasty breakfast at the very pleasant Green Yard B&B and then it was farewell to the
splendid Central Tien Shan and off towards the capital Bishkek. It was to be a long drive and
although much of it was uneventful and through familiar countryside and small villages there
were two noteworthy stops along the way and the first was for some superb petroglyphs.
There were many on a large site that sprawled over a few acres, many quite small but some
much larger and impressive and all depicting wild animals, mainly ibex or deer as well as three
carved figurines from pre-Islamic Turkic tribes that passed through the region in the 8th
century.
The scenery became more dramatic as we finally left the lake behind and descended into a
wide valley with multi-coloured rocks and then at the bottom in an area of hard slate boulders
was a large colony of magnificent Eremurus tienshanicus with tall slender spires. Three dapper
buntings were chasing each other around too and there were some fine stands of Alcea nudiflora
with big wide white flowers.

The following day would not form part of the tour but is included here for completeness

[Day 11

Ala Archa

I spent the last day in the Ala Archa national park which lay right on Bishkek’s doorstep and as
such doesn’t take long to reach from the city. Driving in there were some impressive stands of
Eremurus tianshanicus and Alcea nudiflora in the drier lower parts and then up among the spruce
many familiar flowers from monkshood to cranesbill and the plumes of Polygonum undulatum.
We took a walk up to a waterfall a couple of miles away and climbed up into an area of lush
meadows with many Phlomis oreophila, tall pink Hedysarum neglectum and Eremurus fuscus as
well as Aquilegia atrovinosa and a pretty purple and gold toadflax. However, although the
meadows were lovely there was little new flora here except near the falls when I found a few
plants of Primula minkwittsiae. Here were also Primula nivalis, Cortusa brotheri and Paraquilegia
but the latter had all finished flowering. Birdwise it was great with a stunning close and long
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view of the gorgeous Severtzov’s Tit-Warbler, followed by a splendid male Red-mantled
Rosefinch and then a couple of Red-fronted Serins. Some very vivid orange Clouded Yellows
were flying over the meadows along with the sombre brown Eurebia sp.]

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Systematic List Number 1 Flowers
Cupressaceae
Juniperus sp
Juniperus communis

Alpine slopes

Pinaceae
Picea schrenkiana

A main component of forests, typical slender spruce

Apiaceae
Ferula foetida

Abundant below Tor Ashu

Ferula sp

Several species seen but not identified

Pleurospermum sp?
Angelica archangelica

Jeti Oghuz

Asteraceae
Aster alpinus

Alpine turf, Barskoon

Aster spp

Steppe species seen

Crepis karelinii

Pretty pink daisy, stony roadsides in alpine zone

Hieracium dublitskii

Bright orange red, abundant in shorter meadows at Chonashu

Ligularia spp

Several other species seen in both dry and wet habitats

Ligularia grandifolia

Starting to flower near Naryn, huge glaucous leaves, Jeti Oghuz,
Ala Archa

Saussurea gnapthalloides

Tidy mats at Barskoon, wooly centred

Saussurea sp

Pretty lilac species at Fairy Canyon

Waldheimia sp

White flowered species at Song-Kul

Berberidaceae
Berberis sphaerocarpa

Barskoon valley, Jeti Oghuz, Ala Archa

Betulaceae
Betula pendula

Along rivers and in mixed forest

Boraginaceae
Onosma spp
Onosma irritans

Turf and grasslands

Arnebia guttata

Dry slopes in lower areas

Lindelofia stylosa

Dark reddish-purple borage, slender flowers, roadsides

Echium vulgare

Roadsides

Myosotis asiatica(?)

Locally abundant in alpine turf, grasslands

Brassicaceae
Erysimum sp

Gravelly areas in alpine zone, Chonashu Pass

Desideria flabellata

Impressive brassica with dense heads of lilac flowers in moraine
at Barskoon

Hesperis sp

Chonashu, stony alpine areas

Isatis sp

Roadsides
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Chorispora bungeana

Pretty stemless pink species, gravely places and on rocks, SongKul, Tash Rabat, Barskoon, sensational at Chonashu Pass

Chorispora macropoda

Yellow flowered species at Song-Kul

Smelovskia calycina

Spherical white heads, common at Barskoon

Campanulaceae
Codonopsis clematidea

Jeti Oghuz, near Naryn, handsome pale blue bells with stunning
insides

Campanula glomerata

Jeti Oghuz, Chonashu, Ala Archa, dense heads of dark bluepurple

Caprifoliaceae
Lonicera sp

Song-Kul, pale yellow flowers on rocks, also Barskoon

Lonicera sp

Large shrub with yellow flowers at Ala Archa

Caryophyllaceae
Cerastium spp

Various species seen

Convolvulaceae
Convolvulus arvensis

Roadsides

Convolvulus sp

Something akin to cantabrica on the rocks en route to Bishkek

Crassulaceae
Pseudosedum sp

Scattered in mountains, like a lanky sedum

Rhodiola coccinea/linearifolium

Handsome species with flat heads of red-orange flowers. Alpine
zone at Chonashu

Cuscutaceae
Cuscuta sp

Widespread parasite

Cynomoriaceae
Cynomorium coccinea

Weird brown, columnar parasite growing from saline ground and
sandy places around Isyk-Kul

Elaeagnaceae
Elaeagnus sp

Planted along roadsides, sweet scent

Fabaceae

Many unidentified species were seen mainly Astragalus and
Hedysarum.

Lotus sp

Handsome prostrate spreader with reddish-pink flowers,
between Suusamyr and Kochor

Chesneya sp

Growing with Lotus sp

Astragalus spp

Many species seen, all unknown

Hedysarum neglectum

Tall slender pink species in meadows e.g. Ala Archa

Hedysarum sp

Widespread steppe species, also widely grown fodder crop
species

Sophora alopercueroides (?)

East of Suusamyr

Thermopsis turkestanica/alpina

Abundant roadsides, damp pasture

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Geraniaceae
Geranium collinum/pratense

The common mauve species, alpine turf especially, also damp
pasture

Geranium sp

Pretty palest pink species, abundant at Chonashu

Lamiaceae
Lagochilus pungens

Characteristic spiny calyx, flowers white with reddish stripes
internally. Dissect leaves. Other species seen too. Steppe

Eremostachys speciosa

Common and widespread, impressive golden yellow species,
steppe, alpine turf, roadsides

Phlomis oreophilus

The common purplish species in alpine turf, meadows

Scutellaria przewalskii

Prostrate with incised leaves, in steppe e.g. near Naryn

Scutellaria sp

A small subshrub in rocky steppe near Suusamyr

Salvia nemorosa

Common around Issyk-Kul, tall with deep blue-purple spikes

Dracocephalum spp

Several unknown species seen

Dracocephalum imperbe

Long-tubed mauve flowers, often on rocks at altitude, Chonashu,
Ala Archa

Linaceae
Linum altaicum

Largish flowers blue flax, scattered, Song Kul, Ala Archa

Linum olgae

Jeti Oghuz, Ala Archa, meadows - sticky glandular inflorescence,
pink-lilac

Malvaceae
Alcea nudiflora

Large white hollyhock near Bishkek

Onagraceae
Chamerion angustifolium

Orobanchaceae
Pedicularis dolichorrhiza

Tall creamy-white species, widespread in turf

Pedicularis amoena

Common pink species

Pedicularis oederi

Mountain turf, creamy-yellow with reddish tip

Pedicularis spp

Various other unknowns seen

Pedicularis rhinanthoides

Jeti Oghuz, short with wide pale pink flowers, wet areas

Papaveraceae
Glaucium squamigerum

Widespread in gravely areas, long rough seedpods

Papaver croceum

Widespread in gravely areas, yellow to orange

Fumaria parviflora

Scattered

Plantaginaceae
Plantago sp

Showy (for the genus) white inflorescence, broad ribbed leaves

Linaria vulgaris

Roadsides

Linaria bungei

Purple and orange, Ala Archa

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Plumbaginaceae
Limonium sp

Fairy Canyon, delicate pink bracts in cymes with small white
flowers

Polemoniaceae
Polemonium caucasicum

Pretty blue herb, good stands at Jeti Ortuz and Chonashu

Polygalaceae
Polygala hybrida

Damp areas

Polygonaceae
Polygonum undulatum

Very common below Tor Ashu and Ala-Bel

Polygonum bistorta

Familiar tall white species, meadows

Rheum sp

A small rhubarb at Tash Rabat

Primulaceae
Primula nivalis ssp farinosa

A few below Tor Ashu on north side, superb at Barskoon

Primula algida

Abundant in mountain turf

Primula fasciculata

Tash Rabat

Primula sp

Unknown, tallish, slender pink primula somewhat like a cross
between algida and fasciculata

Primula nutans

Damp pastures at Issyk-Kul

Primula minkwittsiae

Pretty pink chasmophyte, a few among boulders at Ala Archa

Androsace spp

Various other unknowns seen especially at Song-Kul, cushion
forming cream species at Chonashu

Androsace sericea

Gravely areas, Song-Kul, Dolon Pass

Ranunculaceae
Aconitum leucostomum

Abundant at Jeti Oghuz

Aconitum sp ?

Fine population below Tor-Ashu. Seemed distinct from the
former

Clematis songarica

Abundant roadside steppic species with masses of small white
flowers

Clematis sp

Unknown species with large creamy sepals, near Naryn

Paeonia anomala

A few hanging on below Tor Ashu

Trollius pumilus(?)

Locally abundant in mountains, golden yellow, Tor Ashu, Dolon,
Song-Kul, etc

Trollius lilacinus

Gorgeous ice-blue species by snowmelt at Song-Kul (and Tash
Rabat), big drifts at Barskoon

Trollius altaicus

Orange species, locally abundant below Tor Ashu and Ala-Bel
passes, Ala Archa

Trollius ranunculinus (?)

North of Naryn, in wet flushes, tall with large flowers, also
abundant at Chonashu and Karakol area

Anemone narcissiflora ssp

Quite common in mountains, typical white anemone

protracta
Paraquilegia anemonoides

On limestone cliffs at Tash Rabat, Ala Archa
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Pulsatilla campanella

Common in turf at Tash Rabat, Barskoon

Oxygraphis glacialis

Abundant at Barskoon

Ranunculus albertii

Abundant in bare places on tundra at Barskoon, coarse palmate
leaves. Also Chonashu

Ranunculus rufisepalus

Common in scree at Barskoon, delicate deeply dissect leaves

Rosaceae
Potentilla spp

Various seen

Potentilla asiatica

Widespread recta type

Rosa albertii

Common white rose

Rosa kokanica (?)

Yellow rose, scattered, common at Ala Archa

Geum rivale

Suusaymr

Alchemilla tianshanica

Damp mountain turf

Salicaceae
Populus sp

Very widespread

Populus nigra

Very widespread

Salix spp

Riversides

Saxifragaceae
Saxifraga flagellaris

Yellow species with glandular hairs on sempervivum-like leaf
rosettes. Song-Kul, Barskoon

Scrophulariaceae
Lagotis sp

Barskoon

Verbascum sp

Lower north side of Tor Ashu Pass

Solanaceae
Hyoscyamus niger

Widespread

Tamariciceae
Tamarix sp

Valerianaceae
Valeriana sp

Song-Kul

Violaceae
Viola altaica

Tor Ashu Pass

Viola biflora

Yellow species at Barskoon, Ala Archa

Amaryllidaceae
Ixiolirion tartaricum

Steppe, e.g. near Naryn

Iridaceae
Iris spuria ssp sogdiana

Widespread, roadsides, wet places

Iris loczyi

Barskoon , Song-Kul

Liliaceae
Allium caeruleum

Jeti Oghuz

Allium atrosanguineum

Locally abundant in mountain turf, dark purple sheaths

Allium ambylophyllum

Common in meadows, pink

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Allium semenowii

Dwarf yellow species at Barskoon

Allium spp

Several species seen

Lloydia serotina

Barskoon

Tulipa dasystemon

A small yellow tulip Barskoon

Tulipa heterophylla

Curious nodding bell-like flowers Song-Kul in alpine turf

Veratrum lobelianum

Best en route to Chonashu, tall branched spikes with greenish
flowers

Orchidaceae
Dactylorhiza umbrosa

Marshy places

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