The sword grass species "gladiolus siirtensis / Siirt sword grass" discovered in the Pervari district of Siirt is only seen in an area of 300 square meters around the world.
Siirt University (SIU) Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Mehmet Fidan and Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Assoc. Dr. Süleyman Mesut Pınar and Assoc. Dr. "gladiolus siirtensis", discovered by Hüseyin Eroğlu in the rural area of Kovanağzı village at the foothills of Herekol Mountain within the scope of the "Terrestrial and Inland Water Ecosystems Biodiversity Inventory and Monitoring Project of Siirt Province", attracts attention with its endemic features.
As a result of the academics' 3-year activity, a fine of 699 thousand 245 lira is imposed in 2023 if the plant species called "gladiolus siirtensis", in accordance with the Latin rules, and which is in critical danger of extinction "CR" due to having a single habitat according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria, is plucked.
"Many new plant species will be introduced to the scientific world from this area."
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Fidan told the AA correspondent that they were carrying out activities in the Kovanağzı region to examine the plant, which was introduced to the scientific world 3 years ago, during its flowering period.
Stating that the plant is found in a local area, Fidan said:
"Its distribution area, other than an area of approximately 300 square meters in the world, has not yet been determined. That is why it is a very important plant. It shows that this area is an extremely rich place in terms of biological and plant diversity because it is a local and isolated area. Our activities here continue. We believe that many new plant species will be introduced to the scientific world from this area in the future."
Emphasizing that they try to name the new plant species discovered in scientific activities after the region or province in which they are located, according to their characteristics, Fidan stated that they introduced this plant to the scientific world under the name "Siirt" because it was discovered in Siirt.
Fidan said, "There is a high probability that the plant can be cultured and used as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens. Our activities to bring this to the economy in the future will begin with our teachers at the Faculty of Agriculture. Hopefully, we will be able to bring the plant to the economy in this way." he said.
It was discovered in an area where it is not possible to reach by vehicle.
Pointing out that the plant is currently a "critically endangered plant" in terms of danger category, Fidan said:
"It is a plant that is critically endangered because it is both under grazing pressure and spreads in a very narrow area. Besides being bulbous, it is a delicate plant. The plant blooms for about 20 days during the summer months. Those who see it should not damage this plant and should be careful about this. If the plant is damaged, an administrative fine is imposed."
Explaining that the points that vehicles cannot reach are the places where scientists start their activities, Fidan added that they discovered this plant in a region where transportation by vehicle is not possible.