PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE bioresources.com Erken (2021). “Verbascum yurtkuranianum,” BioResources 16(4), 7530-7549. 7530 Investigation of Vegetative Properties and Generative Production of the Potential Ornamental and Narrow Endemic Species Verbascum yurtkuranianum (Scrophulariaceae) for Ex situ Conservation Kamil Erken * Verbascum yurtkuranianum is a narrow endemic species occurring in a single location, the northern Bursa province (Turkey). It is an endangered and potentially ornamental plant. No conducted study on its life and biology, production, and aesthetic features is available. This study aimed to reveal its vegetative properties, seed characteristics, methods and requirements for seed germination, germination speed, and potential ornamental value so it can be conserved ex situ and produced. Verbascum yurtkuranianum has potential value as an ornamental plant regarding its aesthetic features as a flower. This study revealed that the total number of individuals in the species is 788. Without any treatment, 70.7% germination rate is achieved if the seeds are stored at 4 °C. The optimum germination temperature was from 15 to 20 °C (77.3% and 78.7%, respectively), and the photoperiod regulation for seed germination was 12/12 or 8/16 (light/dark) hours (74.7% and 76.0%, respectively). The most effective treatment to promote germination rate was found by implementation of 60 min ultrasonic waves (94.3%) or application of 120 min vacuum (95.3%). Germination occurred between 8 and 10 days. A parcel of ex situ conservation was constituted with the seedlings obtained from the germination studies. Keywords: Verbascum yurtkuranianum; Endemic; Ex situ conservation; Seed germination; Ultrasonic wave; Vacuum; Ornamental plant Contact information: Bursa Technical University, Faculty of Forestry, Landscape Architecture Department, 16310, Bursa, Turkey; *Corresponding author: kamil.erken@btu.edu.tr INTRODUCTION Today, the growing threats to biodiversity and ecosystems and the decline of certain species to the degree of extinction are considered the most severe problems of our time (Kırmızı et al. 2019). One of the primary conditions for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity is securing endangered species and enhancing the protection endeavors to preserve remaining ecosystem fragments (Ganatsas et al. 2019; Locke et al. 2019). Pursuant to international agreements, protection of endemic and rare species is a requirement. Each signatory country of the Rio Convention is required to take their biological inventories and the necessary measures to conserve them (Ocak et al. 2017). In spite of these measures, endemic plants cannot be conserved sufficiently, and they are left endangered (Öztürk and Yiğit 2013). One of the ways to minimize the impacts of these dangers is being aware of the germination and dormancy behaviors of endemic species and conserving them accordingly in situ and ex situ (Kırmızı et al. 2019). In situ and ex situ conservation of endemic and rare species requires comprehension of knowledge about the habitat and life biology of the plant (Ganatsas et al. 2019). This