Alchemilla straminea
Alchemilla straminea Buser
Rosaceae – Rose family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(ii,v); C2a(i)].
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous, rhizomatous perennial. Stems 7–30 cm, ascending, glabrous. Basal leaves reniform, 9-lobed, glabrous, with ciliate margin; petioles 3–10 cm. Cauline leaves few, small, the uppermost deeply lobed. Inflorescence narrow; glomeruli few, dense. Flowers 3–4 mm in diameter, yellowish green. Sepals triangular, acute; 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. Occurs in moist, grassy places and rocky terraces, sometimes taking part in the riparian vegetation in the beech forests, coniferous forests and subalpine vegetation belts. Individuals grow singly.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Western), Rila Mts (region of Semkovo), Rhodopi Mts (Central – Gorna Arda village); from 1000 to 2300 m alt.
General distribution. Alps, western Carpathians, Balkan Peninsula, Apennine Peninsula, Iberian Peninsula, N Anatolia.
Threats. Limited distribution; low population density; grazing and trampling by herds of domestic animals; changes in water regime caused by water capture; climate change especially warming and aridisation.
Conservation measures taken. The localities are within Central Balkan and Rila National Parks and 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 taxon to its natural habitats.
References. Walters & Pawłowski 1968; Assesnov 1973, 1984; Kurtto et al. 2007.
Author: Antonina Vitkova
