The flora of Charales of Ukraine was analyzed in terms of taxonomic structure, ecological peculiarities, and geographical distribution. A total of 40 species were revealed belonging to Chara L. (24), Lamprothamnium J. Groves (1), Lychnothamnus (Rupr.) Leonh. emend. A. Braun (1), Nitella C. Agardh (9), Nitellopsis Hy (1), and Tolypella (A. Braun) A. Braun (4). Zonal differentiation in the distribution of genera and species of Charales was shown. Genera Chara and Nitella form the basis of the flora; the ratio of their species differs depending on physiographic regions of Ukraine. Each region has a peculiar complex of the most frequent species. In Ukrainian Polissia the most common species are Chara globularis Thuill. and Nitella flexelis (L.) C. Agardh. C. vulgaris L., C. globularis, and C. virgata Kütz. are typical for the zone of deciduous forests. Chara vulgaris, C. globularis, and N. mucronata (A. Braun) Miq. in H.C. Hall are widely distributed in the forest-steppe zone. Chara canescens Desv. et Loisel. in Loisel., C. hispida L., C. vulgaris, and Nitellopsis obtusa (Desv. in Loisel.) J. Groves are common in the steppe region. C. intermedia A. Braun and Laprothamnium papulosum (Wallr.) J. Groves frequently occur in the Ukrainian coastal waters of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. The effect of ecological and anthropogenic factors on species diversity and zonal distribution of Charales were shown. The geographic analysis of the Charales flora of Ukraine using the geographic elements developed for non-vascular plants showed its boreal-nemoral nature.
Keywords: Charales, Charophyta, flora, Ukraine
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