Alchemilla pyrenaica
Alchemilla pyrenaica Dufour
Rosaceae – Rose family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii,iv)+2ab(ii,iv); C2a(i)].
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous, rhizomatous perennial. Stems 20–30 cm, erect, lowermost 1(2) internodes appressed hairy, glabrous above. Basal leaves suborbicular, (7)9-lobed, glabrous, with ciliate margin; petioles hairy, 5−8 cm long. Cauline leaves well developed, deeply lobed. Inflorescence lax; glomeruli few-flowered. Flowers 4–5.5 mm in diameter, greenish. Sepals oblong, acute; sometimes one of the epicalyx segments with a tooth. Fruit a single achene. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in moist, rocky places and terraces on shallow stony soil in the subalpine vegetation belt. Forms populations with a small area of occupancy. Individuals grow individually or in small groups. Occurs in plant communities together with Gentiana punctata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Hypericum maculatum, Aquilegia aurea, Doronicum columnae, Rhodiola rosea, Armeria alpina, Alopecurus riloensis, Silene ciliata, Sesleria comosa, Gallium anisophyllon, Aster alpinus, Pedicularis orthantha, etc.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (central – above Vezhen and Eho chalets, Botev peak), Rila Mts (near Okoto, Bubreka, Bliznatsite and Smradlivoto lakes); 1800–2400 m alt.
General distribution. Pyrenees, Alps, Carpathians and northern part of Balkan Peninsula.
Threats. Limited distribution; low population density; trampling and destruction of plants by tourists; climate changes such as warming and aridisation.
Conservation measures taken. The localities are situated in Central Balkan National Park, including Tsarichina, Dzhendema and Severen Dzhendem Strict Nature Reserves, Rila National Park 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 cultivation of the species, and if needed, re-introduction of the species to its natural habitats.
References. Walters & Pawłowski 1968; Assenov 1973, 1984.
Author: Antonina Vitkova
