Alchemilla indivisa
Alchemilla indivisa (Buser) Rothm.
Rosaceae – Rose family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iv)+2ab(ii,iv); C2a(i)]. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous, rhizomatous perennial. Stems 35–45 cm, with patent hairs in the lower half. Basal leaves suborbicular, 11-lobed, glabrous above, densely hairy beneath; petioles 15–25 cm; cauline leaves with indumentum as basal ones. Inflorescences wide, lax, with numerous glomeruli. Flowers 3–4 mm in diameter, yellow. Sepals lanceolate; epicalyx segments linear-lanceolate, acute. Fruit a single achene. Fl. VI–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in moist grasslands and by streams usually at the timberline. Takes part in herbaceous plant communities. Individuals are scattered or grow in small groups, mainly on shallow, stony soils.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (central – Kaloferska and Shipchenska Mts); 1600–2000 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, N Greece, R Macedonia, Serbia).
Threats. Limited distribution; low population density; trampling and specimens destruction by tourists; climate changes (warming and aridisation).
Conservation measures taken. Some populations are within Central Balkan National Park including in Severen Dzhendem Strict Nature Reserve as well as in a site 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, maintenance of ex situ collection and, if necessary, re-introduction of the species to its natural habitats.
References. Rothmaler 1938; Walters & Pawłowski 1968; Assenov 1973, 1984; Kurtto et al. 2007.
Author: Antonina Vitkova
