Ex Situ Conservation and Ornamental Evaluation of the Endangered <i>Amberboa moschata </i>(Asteraceae) in Armenia

The article presents data on morpho-phenological, karyological, palynological, some eco-physiological and ornamental features of the Armenian flora endangered species Amberboa moschata (L.) DC. (Asteraceae). According to conducted exploration, the plants cultivated in the Yerevan Botanical Garden have satisfactory adaptive capacity, a complete development cycle, the ability to form mature seeds and self-renewal by seeds, and higher parameters of total moisture, transpiration intensity and photosynthesis compared to natural ones. The diploid cytotype has been found for the species to be 2n=32, the karyotype is asymmetric, with chromosomes, 0.77&ndash;1.91&micro;m in size. The average pollen fertility of A. moschata is high, 96.7&ndash;96.9% in both natural and cultivated samples. A scale of ornamental properties of A. moschata has been compiled, including 15 characteristics of the plant. The total duration of plant ornamental period under cultivation is about 98 days, the maximum ornamental effect is observed during the flowering period of 68&ndash;70 days. The studied species is recommended for creating living collections in botanical gardens and utilization in ornamental gardening and landscaping as measures for its ex situ conservation. The article is illustrated with a map, original photographs and tables.