ECOBEKO
What flowers can tell us?
Over the 15 years of its existence, the Beko plant has managed to develop its own unique ecosystem. In this article, we will remember past summer, get acquainted with the most common flora representatives of our region and find out what signals they give us.
Aliya Gulmullina
environmental engineer
Plants are needed not only to delight the eye. According to recent studies, plants can serve as indicators of environmental pollution, determine soil composition and groundwater depth level. At present, biological monitoring principles develop rather intensively, and it can significantly improve the accuracy of determining the environmental situation. Well, which kinds of plants surround the territory of the Beko plant and what they can tell us?
Foalfoot (Tussilago farfara)
The first after winter, already in early April, yellow Foalfoot flowers appear on the South side of the plant (near the sewage treatment facilities and boiler installation). This perennial herbaceous plant got its name due to special leaf texture: underside of the leaf is soft, velvety to the touch - that's why it is called "mother", and the upper side, on the contrary, is glassy and rigid, just like "stepmother". In Latin, it is called Tussilago farfara, which can be translated as "beating cough". Even this single fact is indicative of the medicinal properties of the plant. A particular feature of this plant is its blossom, that starts in early spring, but leaves appear much later. It is classified as an obligate synanthrope (i.e., a plant dependent on humans and growing in availability of an anthropogenic impact). Scientists learned to determine overall environmental pollution level according to the symmetry of Foalfoot leaf plates.
The first after winter, already in early April, yellow Foalfoot flowers appear on the South side of the plant (near the sewage treatment facilities and boiler installation). This perennial herbaceous plant got its name due to special leaf texture: underside of the leaf is soft, velvety to the touch - that's why it is called "mother", and the upper side, on the contrary, is glassy and rigid, just like "stepmother". In Latin, it is called Tussilago farfara, which can be translated as "beating cough". Even this single fact is indicative of the medicinal properties of the plant. A particular feature of this plant is its blossom, that starts in early spring, but leaves appear much later. It is classified as an obligate synanthrope (i.e., a plant dependent on humans and growing in availability of an anthropogenic impact). Scientists learned to determine overall environmental pollution level according to the symmetry of Foalfoot leaf plates.
Washington lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus)
Lupine belongs to the Legume family. This means that it is in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its vegetation areas and soil with high concentration of nitrogen. Washington lupine, which grows everywhere, is not a native species, but an invasive one. Historically, it originates from America, but have been spreading throughout Eurasia, as it is very unpretentious plant. Despite its decorativeness, the plant poses a danger to our native flora as it can easily supersede local grass species. Unlike some other lupine species that can be used as a fodder crop, this species is not suitable for feeding of animals, as it is poisonous. However, Narrow-leaved lupine is a phytoremediator culture. It has a property of cleaning heavily polluted soils, accumulating several types of heavy metals at once.
Lupine belongs to the Legume family. This means that it is in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its vegetation areas and soil with high concentration of nitrogen. Washington lupine, which grows everywhere, is not a native species, but an invasive one. Historically, it originates from America, but have been spreading throughout Eurasia, as it is very unpretentious plant. Despite its decorativeness, the plant poses a danger to our native flora as it can easily supersede local grass species. Unlike some other lupine species that can be used as a fodder crop, this species is not suitable for feeding of animals, as it is poisonous. However, Narrow-leaved lupine is a phytoremediator culture. It has a property of cleaning heavily polluted soils, accumulating several types of heavy metals at once.
Spreading harebell (Campanula patula)
One of the most fragile representatives of Campanula family. It is a native wild-growing species. With Spreading harebell, you can determine change of seasons of the year very accurately. First flowers of this plant appear at the very end of spring and at the very beginning of summer.
One of the most fragile representatives of Campanula family. It is a native wild-growing species. With Spreading harebell, you can determine change of seasons of the year very accurately. First flowers of this plant appear at the very end of spring and at the very beginning of summer.
Сlammy Сampion (Viscaria vulgaris)
Сlammy Сampion is the same plant with bright pink flowers that often grows in groups, forming a bright pink cloud on the field. The plant is called clammy because its stem is actually covered with a clammy substance. It prevents self-pollination of the plant. An interesting fact: Сampion is a xeromesophyte plant, so it is able to survive in conditions of temporary moisture deficit. Moreover its leaves do not die off for winter period but change in color.
Сlammy Сampion is the same plant with bright pink flowers that often grows in groups, forming a bright pink cloud on the field. The plant is called clammy because its stem is actually covered with a clammy substance. It prevents self-pollination of the plant. An interesting fact: Сampion is a xeromesophyte plant, so it is able to survive in conditions of temporary moisture deficit. Moreover its leaves do not die off for winter period but change in color.
Bottlebrush (Equisetum arvense)
Belongs to "living fossils" kind, i.e., to very ancient plant species. The only plant that contains silica. Indicates places where groundwater does not run deep.
Belongs to "living fossils" kind, i.e., to very ancient plant species. The only plant that contains silica. Indicates places where groundwater does not run deep.
Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
Originated from Northern America, Goldenrod was firstly introduced as an horticultural crop but further fall out of cultivation and became an invasive species. Blooms from late July to late August.
Originated from Northern America, Goldenrod was firstly introduced as an horticultural crop but further fall out of cultivation and became an invasive species. Blooms from late July to late August.
Field daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
This flower is mostly called an Oxe-eye daisy, but it is not a medicinal plant. It is a widespread weed, unpretentious to the soil. This species is suitable only for weaving wreaths and making flower bouquets, in contrast to the Horse gowan (Matricaria chamomīlla), which is used in soothing teas. But, unfortunately, it was not found on the territory of the plant. Although its counterpart - Scentless Mayweed (Tripleurospérmum inodórum) was vegetating here.
Many herbs grow around the territory of the Beko plant. And each of them can beсome a subject of a whole study. Among them you can see Garden pansy, Absinthum, Blue bottle flower, Field scabious, as well as Thousand-leaf, Common Tansy and a lot of different kinds of cereals and sedges. All this plants and herbs help to maintain the ecological balance and need human protectiveness.
This flower is mostly called an Oxe-eye daisy, but it is not a medicinal plant. It is a widespread weed, unpretentious to the soil. This species is suitable only for weaving wreaths and making flower bouquets, in contrast to the Horse gowan (Matricaria chamomīlla), which is used in soothing teas. But, unfortunately, it was not found on the territory of the plant. Although its counterpart - Scentless Mayweed (Tripleurospérmum inodórum) was vegetating here.
Many herbs grow around the territory of the Beko plant. And each of them can beсome a subject of a whole study. Among them you can see Garden pansy, Absinthum, Blue bottle flower, Field scabious, as well as Thousand-leaf, Common Tansy and a lot of different kinds of cereals and sedges. All this plants and herbs help to maintain the ecological balance and need human protectiveness.
© Beko 2021