Ontogenetic Development of Hedysarum alpinum L. in the Prebaikalia Region

Abstract

Hedysarum alpinum L. is an important medicinal plant, which also has ornamental value and is used as a non-conventional feed resource. The medicinal value of this plant species is attributable to the content of the glycoside mangiferin in the aerial parts of a plant, which demonstrates immunostimulating properties. Harvesting of H. alpinum as a herbal raw material leads to a fast depletion of natural coenopopulation areas. When cultivated in Prebaikalia, the plant passes through all ontogenetic stages, entering the reproductive phase at year 2-3 of growth. The mid-reproductive stage, which is the most productive for feeding purposes, lasts 6 to 10 years. For introduced species, the life span of a plant growing in the same place ranges between 12 and 20 years. H. alpinum is a promising medicinal and fodder plant, which tolerates dry summer periods, is winter-hardy, and has high shoot biomass production.