The pertinent study presents the brief history, species composition, and ranking of the wild useful vegetation (medicinal, vitamins, and food) under natural conditions in the Zhetysu Alatau Region, Kazakhstan. Based on floristic analysis, recorded data established Northwestern part of Zhetysu Alatau has more than 161 species of useful plants, belonging to 89 genera and seven families. The leading families were Asteraceae (22 genera and 40 species), Rosaceae (15 genera and 30 species), Lamiaceae (15 genera and 24 species), Fabaceae (14 genera and 25 species), and Apiaceae (nine genera and 13 species). The study carried out taxonomic analysis of large families and list of useful plants in the Zhetysu Alatau flora. The plants’ classification relied on different ecological groups. According to beneficial properties, ranking the species reached four groups based on their use as medicinal (used as official, traditional, and oriental medicines), food, vitamins, and for technical purposes. Moreover, resource data on reserves of the most crucial medicinal plants (Inula helenium L, Origanum vulgare L., Achillea millefolium L., Hypericum perforatum L. Ajania fastigiata Poljak., Artemisia frigida Willd, Saussurea elegans Ledeb., and Ephedra equisetina Bunge.) in Zhetysu Alatau region, were valuable outcomes.
Zhetysu Alatau Region, useful plants, medicinal flora, species composition, taxonomic analysis, economic importance, prospects, pharmacological activities
In Zhetysu Alatau flora, 161 species of useful plants have reached validation, with all of them used as folk medicines (41 species as official medicines, 27 species as oriental medicines, and 36 species as vitamins), 46 species served as food, and 14 species have technical uses.