FLORA OF THE BELT OF EPILITIC LICHEN COMMUNITIES OF VERKHOYANSK RANGE (YAKUTIA)
The belt of epilithic lichen communities of Verkhoyansk Range is considered as a separate, though poorly isolated, element of the flora of this mountain system. The name of this belt is a synonym of a belt of the cold goltsy deserts as it is known in literature. The list of vascular is provided, comprising 51 species of 34 genera and 17 families. The leading role in the flora is played by <i>Brassicaceae</i> (8 species), <i>Saxifragaceae</i> (7), <i>Poaceae</i> (7) and <i>Asteraceae</i> (5). Prevailing life forms include taproot, rhizomatous and cespitose polycarpic herbs. More than a half of the species are mesophytic. Three quarters of the flora are natives of tundra communities. Over 90 % of the flora belong to the Arctic fraction of geographical range types. As to longitudinal range types, plants with circumranges (over 40 %), Asian (about 30 %) and Eurasian (16 %) ranges prevail in the flora. No local endemics or other specific species missing in lower belts were revealed in the studied flora, the fact suggesting its dependence on the flora of the lower altitude zones of vegetation, and first of all on the flora of tundra belt.