Assessment of the Introduction Stability of Sorbus graeca (Rosaceae) in the Orenburg Urals

Long-term introduction is an important area in the activities of botanical gardens. Long-term introduction is an important area in the activities of botanical gardens. The study examined the main ecological, biological and morphological features of the exotic species Sorbus graeca (Spach) Lodd. ex S. Schauer, introduced in the Botanical garden of Orenburg State University (OSU). To assess the prospects of the introduction, a modified methodology was used, taking into account the limiting climatic factors of the point of introduction. The following parameters were evaluated: annual growth, preservation of the growth form, the degree of maturation of shoots, winter hardness, drought resistance, heat resistance, methods of possible plant reproduction, the ability of plants to generative development. In S. graeca, a change in habit is noted, in which the plant takes the form of a low-growing shrub. The introduced species is characterized by average drought and heat resistance in the climatic conditions of the point of introduction. S. graeca has an annual growth rate that is not susceptible to freezing. The species under the conditions of introduction is characterized by seed propagation (artificial sowing). According to the modified methodology for assessing the prospects of introduction, the S. graeca species is assigned to group I — promising plants, and is recommended for introduction into culture in the Orenburg region.