Colchicum triphyllum s. l. (Colchicaceae) in Ukraine: the geographic distribution and current state of populations

The paper presents the results of a study on the geographic distribution, habitats, and current state of populations in Ukraine of a rare species of the East European flora, Colchicum triphyllum (Colchicaceae). It was established that the northeastern boundary of the range of this species in Europe runs through Ukraine along the northern margin of the right-bank part of the Black Sea Lowland, coincides with the Dnipro River valley, and then continues along the boundary between the mainland and the Crimean Peninsula. Our analysis of the geographic distribution distinguished two fragments of the range within Ukraine. One fragment is confined to the Bessarabian Upland and the right-bank part of the Black Sea Lowland (Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions), while another is associated with the Crimean Peninsula and the adjacent sandy spits of the Azov Sea region (Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Kherson Region). Local populations of Colchicum triphyllum identified at new localities in Odesa Region along the coasts of the Hadzhibei, Kuyalnyk, and Tyligul estuaries occupy areas ranging from 300 m² to 15.000 m². Populations of Colchicum triphyllum are satisfactorily represented within protected natural areas of Crimea and southern mainland Ukraine; however, this does not guarantee their conservation, as a significant number of populations occur in temporarily occupied territories where environmental protection regulations are not being observed.