Endemic mountain rose blooms in Artvin, sparking calls for renaming to 'Murgul gülü'.

The endemic 'mountain rose' (Rhodothamnus sessilifolius), which naturally grows only in Artvin's Murgul district in TURKEY and is an endangered species, has bloomed on Tiryal Mountain, at an altitude of 2,350 meters. Prof. Dr. Aydın Tüfekçioğlu, a faculty member at Artvin Çoruh University, stated, "This is a species that we can describe as a completely dwarf rhododendron, existing only here in the world and endangered. We observed its beautiful specimens and were very pleased, but we want everyone to gain awareness for this unique heritage." Prof. Dr. Tüfekçioğlu also suggested that the plant's name be changed to 'Murgul rose'.

According to the Davis grid system, a special mapping method used by botanists to map and classify the geographical distribution of plant species (flora), and introduced to the scientific world in Turkey in 1957 by British botanist Dr. Peter Davis and his team, the endemic mountain rose, which grows only in Artvin's Murgul district in the world, on moist and magmatic rock outcrops between altitudes of 2,150 and 2,400 meters, has bloomed in the higher parts of Tiryal Mountain. The plant, which closely resembles a rhododendron in its flower structure but is entirely woody and dwarf in form, has begun to offer a visual feast in nature with its pink hues. The plant, estimated to have approximately 2,000 individuals remaining in nature, stays in bloom for about a month. Monitoring, inventory, and conservation activities for the plant are meticulously carried out within the scope of the Species Action Plan prepared by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.

'WE WANT EVERYONE TO GAIN AWARENESS FOR THIS UNIQUE HERITAGE'

Prof. Dr. Aydın Tüfekçioğlu, a faculty member at Artvin Çoruh University's Faculty of Forestry, Department of Soil Science and Ecology, who climbed Tiryal Mountain to examine the plant on site, emphasized that the species must be absolutely protected. Prof. Dr. Tüfekçioğlu stated that despite challenging weather and road conditions, they reached an altitude of 2,350 meters, adding, "Previously, Dr. Davis and his team, who studied our country's flora, identified this species by climbing here with mules, using the means available at the time. Later, we couldn't find it for a long time. In the last 15-20 years, we have rediscovered its location and initiated conservation activities. This is a species that we can describe as a completely dwarf rhododendron, existing only here in the world and endangered. We observed its beautiful specimens and were very pleased, but we want everyone to gain awareness for this unique heritage."

'WE SUGGEST ITS NAME BE CHANGED TO MURGUL ROSE'

Prof. Dr. Tüfekçioğlu, drawing attention to the species' local endemic nature and stating that its name should be changed, said, "This plant grows only in Murgul worldwide. However, the name 'mountain rose' is also used as a general term for many different plant species. Therefore, to prevent confusion and emphasize the plant's homeland, we suggest that the name of this species should no longer be 'mountain rose' but rather 'Murgul rose'."