Habitat properties of annual Gypsophila L. (Caryophyllaceae) taxa of Turkey

Annually growing 11 taxa of Gypsophila L. genus in Turkey is the material of this study. These are G.heteropoda Freyn & Sint., G. parva Barkoudah, G. elegans M. Bieb., G. bitlisensis Barkoudah, G. viscosa Murray, G.antari Post & Beauverd G. muralis L., G. tubulosa (Jaub. & Spach) Boiss., G. confertifolia Hub.-Mor. and G. pilosaHudson. Habitat properties were tried to determined and phenological observations were performed in 80 differentlocalities. Characteristics of natural habitats, horizantal and vertical distributions, main rocks, biotic potentials, neigborspecies in the same habitats, the elavation of the habitats and phenological properties of the taxa were investigated.The soils characters of the taxa are generally loamy, unsalty and softly alkaline. Thay have the lime withdifferent ratios (from less to much more) and have very less amount of phosphorus. Their potasium amount is generallymore and the amounts of nitrogen and organic matter are in medium classes. The taxa have vertical distribution from100 m to 2800 m. A lot of them are the members of Irano-Turanian phytogeographic elements according to horizontaldistribution. Because of their distribution in Turkey, they are dominant in Middle, East and South-East Anatolia. Theleast distribution is seen in Euro-Siberian region. So Black-Sea region is the poorest region related with the taxa. G.pilosa is a foreign herb in every condition. The others grow in natural or semi-natural areas. pH values of the soilschanges from 5,97 to 8,21. G. muralis is grown in the smallest pH and G. antari is grown in the biggest pH.Seed germination and vegetative development are seen in Marc-June. Formation of the buds and the flowersare occured in April-Jully. Development and maturation of the seed is complited in May-August and they distribute inJully-September. Wind, water and gravity are the most effective factors for the seed distribution.