Petrophytic-steppe communities of the Mogutova Mountain (Zhiguli Hills)

The Mogutova Mountain – domal erosive ostanets in the north of the Zhigulyovsk hill, lies in national park «Samara Luka». Communities petrophytic steppes are formed on calcareous exposures of steep slopes of the western, southern and east expositions of the mountain Mogutova. Petrophytic-steppe communities on a slope of east exposition are described – petrophytic-forbs-feather grass steppe (Stipa capillata + Stipa pennata + Herbae stepposae), on a slope of west exposition – petrophytic-sunrose-feather grass steppe (Stipa pennata + Helianthemum nummularium), on a slope of south exposition – petrophytic-thyme-sedge-feather grass steppe (Stipa pulcherrima + Carex pediformis + Thymus zheguliensis). In the studied communities three narrow-local of endemic species of the Zhigulyovsk hill grows: Euphorbia zhiguliensis, Gypsophila juzepczukii, Thymus zheguliensis and three of subendemic species grows: Festuca wolgensis s.str., Tanacetum sclerophyllum (endemics of Central Volga area), Koeleria sclerophylla (endemic of Central Volga area and South Ural); the relict element of flora is presented by three species: Alyssum lenense, Clausia aprica, Helianthemum nummularium. Five species are included in the Red book of the Russian Federation: Astragalus zingeri, Euphorbia zhiguliensis, Koeleria sclerophylla, Stipa pennata, Thymus zheguliensis; sixteen species are included in the Red book of the Samara region: Adonanthe vernalis, Alyssum lenense, Astragalus zingeri, Clausia aprica, Cotoneaster laxiflorus, Euphorbia zhiguliensis, Festuca wolgensis, Gypsophila juzepczukii, Helianthemum nummularium, Koeleria sclerophylla, Onosma volgensis, Pulsatilla patens, Scabiosa isetensis, Stipa pennata, Tanacetum sclerophyllum, Thymus zheguliensis. The most widespread plants of petrophytic steppes of the Mogutova Mountain: Astragalus zingeri, Carex pediformis, Echinops ruthenicus, Galium hexanarium, Gypsophila juzepczukii, Helictotrichon desertorum, Jurinea ledebourii, Onosma volgensis, Psephellus carbonatus, Stipa pennata, Tanacetum sclerophyllum, Thesium ramosum, Thymus zheguliensis.