Biology of Thymus karatavicus Dm., an endemic plant of the West Tien Shan

Morphological structure and polyvariation of development of Thymus karatavicus, an endemic of the West Tien Shan, were studied. Species habitats are monotypic, restricted to Festuca ovina communities of the Syrdarya Karatau and Talass Аlatau. T. karatavicus was established to be an implicitly polycentric dwarf shrub. An adult plant represents a clump consisting of primary and partial bushes. In morphogenesis, seed individuals pass phases of a primary shoot, a primary bush, and a clump sequentially and vegetative individuals pass phases of a partial bush and a system of partial bushes. The individual ontogenesis does not exceed 20 years; over this period, individuals pass 7 ontogenetic states sequentially. Self-preservation of populations is performed by seeds and vegetatively; under changes of growth conditions, the individuals exhibit polyvariation of development. A specific pattern of the morphological structure and development of T. karatavicus determines preservation and sustainable status of its populations in the West Tien Shan Keywords: Endemic plant, Dwarf shrub, Morphogenesis, Plant architecture, Tien Shan