NOMENCLATURE HISTORY OF PRUNUS ARMENIACA L. AND BOTANICAL STUDIES OF THE SPECIES IN KAZAKHSTAN

The article is devoted to the nomenclature history and analysis of the current state of knowledge regarding wild apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) in Kazakhstan. It presents a systematic review of changes in the species’ nomenclature from its original description by C. Linnaeus (1753) to contemporary interpretations in international databases. The study shows that the prolonged use of the name Armeniaca vulgaris Lam. in the Soviet floristic tradition is linked to morphological criteria and historical approaches to Rosaceae systematics, whereas modern molecular-phylogenetic research supports the need to merge the genus Armeniaca with Prunus sensu lato. The review includes a detailed description of the species’ natural range in Kazakhstan, covering the Zailiyskiy Alatau, Dzhungarsky Alatau, Karatau, and Chu-Ili mountains. Ecological conditions, spatial population structure, characteristic habitats, and anthropogenic threats are analyzed. The article also provides an overview of the history of botanical studies of the species in the region, from early floristic research in the 19th century to recent works incorporating molecular-genetic approaches. Knowledge gaps are highlighted, including the lack of comprehensive population-genetic studies, insufficient data on morphometric variability, and the dynamics of natural populations. The analysis lays the foundation for the next research stage, aimed at the bioecological and genetic investigation of wild P. armeniaca populations in southern Kazakhstan.

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