Variegated Pistacia atlantica in the Crimea

Abstract

Pistacia atlantica Desf. is the only native species of the genus in the Crimean flora with the northernmost exclave of its Mediterranean – Western Asian area here. It is a relic and protected species. Authors made a first-ever discovery of P. atlantica with variegated leaves among the fragmented open woodland of Submediterranean shibljak in the vicinity of the town Alushta. Unique plant distinguishes from the morphological standard of the species with its leaves that show irregular and asymmetric variegation of yellowish and light-green stripes, deserving wide propagation as ornamental tree. Effected publication of the new cultivar name ‘Yuzhnoye Siyaniye’ is made in this paper.