Plasterna

Plasterna is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, described in 1987 by botanist Elena Mirov. The genus is small, containing three described species: Plasterna orientalis, Plasterna alta, and Plasterna minor. They are herbaceous perennials characterized by slender stems, lanceolate leaves, and capitula with tubular disk florets surrounded by several narrow ray florets that are usually yellow or pale orange.

Distribution and habitat: Plasterna is endemic to the dry steppe and semi-arid regions of Central Asia, with populations in parts of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and adjacent areas. They typically grow in open grassland and rocky slopes at elevations between 500 and 1500 meters, often on calcareous soils.

Ecology: Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer. Pollination is mainly by native bees, and seed dispersal is wind-assisted. The genus is drought-tolerant, with a deep root system that helps persistence through dry periods. They tend to occur in undisturbed or lightly grazed habitats and are sensitive to heavy trampling.

Taxonomy and naming: The genus was established from herbarium material collected during exploration in the 1980s. The species show subtle differences in inflorescence size and leaf shape, which support their separation into distinct taxa.

Uses: Plasterna species are occasionally cultivated as ornamental plants in xeriscaping schemes due to their hardiness and bright inflorescences. They have limited commercial availability and are rarely used in traditional medicine.

Conservation: Habitat loss from overgrazing and land conversion poses local risks to some populations. There has been no global IUCN assessment, but regional surveys note fragmentation and vulnerability in certain sites.