ORNAMENTAL CEREALS FOR URBAN LANDSCAPING IN THE STEPPE ZONE

The paper analyzed potential assortment of tall Poaceae Barnhart ornamental species of the family for urban landscaping within the Black Sea steppe sub-region of Eastern European steppe landscapes. 35 perennial species have been proposed, including representatives of the local flora and five floristic regions: Circumboreal, East Asian, Atlantic-North American (temperate zone), Mediterranean and Brazilian (subtropical zone). A wide range of ecological characteristics of the recommended species according to the main environmental factors and their compliance with the climatic and meteorological conditions in the steppe zone are shown. The specific microclimatic features of urbanized territories affecting the viability and durability of ornamental plants in the city are described. The species capable of performing both ornamental and ameliorative functions in these conditions are identified. Morphometric characteristics and colour spectrum are shown, determining the wide habitual diversity of the recommended species. The data determining the change of habitus during the growing season and being the basic information for the correct compositional solution when forming baceous perennials characterized by a change of aspects are presented. The paper also demonstrated biomorphological signs determining the vegetative and reproductive activity, as well as the contact interspecific competition of individual species; these signs are the determining factor for their functional use. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the considered characteristics, it is shown that the proposed species are promising for introduction into the regional assortment of urbanized territories within the steppe zone and can be used to form long-term and stable monocultural cereal plantations, as well as complex multicomponent, multifunctional and highly aesthetic compositions both in limited and large open areas.