Current population trends and morphological variability of Gagea alberti (Liliaceae) in Kazakhstan

Gagea alberti is widespread across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, southern Russia, western China, and Mongolia. In the present study, we investigated the population status of G. alberti based on the morphological traits of five populations from Kazakhstan, each representing a distinct ecological habitat. In the present study, we investigated the population status of G. alberti based on the morphological traits of five populations from Kazakhstan, each representing a distinct ecological habitat. High variability in traits such as plant height, number of flowers, and leaf and petal sizes indicates the plasticity of the species and its ability to adapt to unstable environmental conditions. Despite significant morphological variability, taxonomic traits, such as bulb structure and cross-sectional shape of the basal leaves, remain stable. Populations growing under extreme conditions demonstrate unique adaptations, such as the development of sclerified roots, which allow them to effectively use condensed moisture and survive in arid conditions. This study provides new insights into the morphological variability and adaptive mechanisms of G. alberti, which are essential for understanding its evolutionary processes and preserving the species in a changing environment.