Alchemilla heterophylla
Alchemilla heterophylla Rothm.
Rosaceae – Rose family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(ii,v); C2a(i)].
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous, rhizomatous perennial. Stems 15–25 cm, with hairs reaching to the uppermost branches of the inflorescence. Basal leaves reniform, 7(9)-lobed, densely hairy on both sides; petioles 4–6 cm long; cauline leaves small, cordate to truncate at base. Inflorescence small, short and narrow; glomeruli dense. Flowers 2.5–3.5 mm in diameter, yellowish green. Sepals ovate-triangular; epicalyx segments shorter than sepals. Fruit a single achene. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Grows in grassy places and pastures on shallow soils, mainly in the subalpine vegetation belt. Populations are small, with scattered, solitary individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Central), Pirin Mts (Sinanitsa peak), Rila Mts (valleys of Doupnishka Bistritsa and Damyanitsa rivers), Rhodopi Mts (Central – Snezhanka peak); from 1800 to 2300 m alt.
General distribution. Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, N Greece, R Macedonia, Serbia.
Threats. Limited distribution; low population density; poor reproductive potential; trampling and specimen destruction by tourists; grazing, climate change especially warming and aridisation.
Conservation measures taken. The localities are situated within Central Balkan, Pirin and Rila National Parks as well as in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Population monitoring aimed at the optimization of the species protection regime; ex situ propagation and maintenance of the species, and if necessary, re-introduction of the species in its natural habitats.
References. Rothmaler 1939; Pawłowski 1952; Walters & Pawłowski 1968; Assenov 1973, 1984; Kurtto et al. 2007.
Author: Antonina Vitkova
