New plant species discovered in the Fergana valley

A new plant species, Gagea khassanovii, has been discovered in the Fergana Valley, according to the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan.

The plant, which features distinctive flowers, belongs to the "Gagea" (Boychechak) genus and is found exclusively in the Fergana Valley. It contributes to the botanical diversity of both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

The species was discovered at the foot of Imam Mountain in the Alay Range, located in Uzbekistan’s Andijan region. Its scientific description was published in July 2025 in Issue 260 of the reputable journal "PhytoKeys". The discovery resulted from a joint research effort by scientists from Uzbekistan, Russia, and China.

Gagea khassanovii bears a morphological resemblance to Gagea circiumflecha, but differs in key features such as white flowers, slender petals, and elongated stamens. The species is named in honor of the renowned Uzbek botanist, Professor Furkat Orinboevich Hasanov.