Ferula ovina

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Peucedanum ovinum
• Ferula microcarpa
• Ferula stylosa
• Ferula stewartiana var. affghanica
• Ferula kopetdagensis
• Peucedanum thomsonii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Apiales, it is classified under the family Apiaceae and is specifically assigned to the genus Ferula. As a member of the Ferula ovina species, it represents a distinct lineage within these taxonomic groupings.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Ferula ovina, exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the Central Asian region. Its natural habitat extends across the vast landscapes of Kazakhstan, where it grows in various local ecosystems. The species is also commonly found throughout the territory of Kirgizstan, contributing to the region's biodiversity. Furthermore, its presence is well-documented in Turkmenistan and the mountainous terrains of Tadzhikistan. Finally, the distribution of this medicinal plant is completed by its occurrence within the borders of Uzbekistan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ferula ovina is characterized by its adaptation to rugged and arid environments, specifically thriving within desert and mountainous habitats. This species exhibits a significant vertical distribution across diverse terrains, occupying an elevational range that begins at 1,100 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 3,400 m AMSL. Such a wide altitudinal span suggests a high degree of resilience to varying temperature gradients and atmospheric pressures found in high-altitude montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1100 m AMSL

Habitat :

desert, mountains

Life history

The life history of Ferula ovina is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a member of the Apiaceae family, its growth strategy is defined by its life form as a hemicryptophyte, meaning its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable periods. This hemicryptophytic nature enables the plant to survive seasonal fluctuations, maintaining its biological presence within its ecological niche over extended durations.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ferula ovina is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as a self-supporting, terrestrial plant that is neither an epiphyte nor a parasite, maintaining an independent life cycle. The plant's stature is relatively modest, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1 m, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 0.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.75 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ferula ovina is characterized by a specific flowering window that typically begins in May and concludes in June. During this period, the plant produces inflorescences that are relatively small, ranging in length from a minimum of 0.04 m to a maximum of 0.06 m. Following pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit significant variability in size; the fruit length averages 0.75 cm, with measurements spanning from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. Similarly, the fruit width varies, with a mean of 0.35 cm, a minimum of 0.2 cm, and a maximum of 0.5 cm. The resulting seeds are notably consistent in mass, maintaining a steady value of 0.0119 g for the minimum, mean, and maximum recorded measurements.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.75 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit width max:

0.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit width min:

0.2 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.06 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.04 m

Seed mass mean:

0.0119 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ferula ovina has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include tschimgine, Ferutinin.

tschimgine

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Ferutinin

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis