Liana Plants of the Natural Flora of Azerbaijan, Their Botanical-Geographical Spread and Use

Abstract. Liane-type plants of natural flora of Azerbaijan were studied, their distribution areas were partially identified, and also taxonomic composition and application areas were given in the paper. Lianas are a minority in the flora and mainly in grasses and shrubs forms as have shown results of studies. 25 species of lianas of 11 families and 14 genera are spread in the natural flora of Azerbaijan. This is consist only 0.5% of the total natural flora of Azerbaijan (4,500 species). Many perennial and annual lianas belonging to the Convolvulaceae family (Bingweed), especially Convolvulus cantabrica L., Convolvulus commutatus Boiss., Convolvulus erinaceus Ledeb. etc. species are very rare in nature. This group of plants is most widespread in the Kur-Araz lowland and the Greater Caucasus, and the least were found in the Caspian lowlands, Nakhchivan mountains and Gobustan as shown result of the study of the distribution areas of lianas. The use of lianas of natural flora in urban landscaping has been studied, and many species can be used for landscaping due to their bioecological properties. Some species (i. e., Hedera helix L., Lonicera caprifolium L., etc.) are currently used in vertical landscaping should be noted. However, research has shown that the flora also contains many species of ornamental lianas that can be involved in vertical landscaping.