Aldrovanda vesiculosa
Aldrovanda vesiculosa L.
Droseraceae – Sundew family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ac(ii); C2a(ii)]. BDA, HD, BC.
Morphology and biology. Floating perennial plant. Stem 2–30 cm long, slender, branched, glabrous. Leaves sessile, 5–6 in a whorl, small, with 5–6 lobes, of which 4–5 setiform, the middle lobe rounded consisting of two halves, which close at touching and can capture small water animals. Insectivorous plant. Flowers single, axillary, greenish white. Capsule with 10 smooth black seeds. Fl. VII–VIII. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in fresh, standing water. Its locations are not constant and change with water movements. Populations have low number of individuals, up to several tens of plants.
Distribution in Bulgaria. NE Bulgaria (Srebarna lake). The species occurred also in Dragomansko swamp (Znepole Region) in the past but disappeared as a result of draining. Recently a successful experiment for reintroduction of the species in the swamp has been implemented.
General distribution. Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia.
Threats. The species has low competition potential and can be replaced by widely distributed floating water plants; low reproductive potential.
Conservation measures taken. The localities are within the borders of Srebarna Managed Nature Reserve and in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Elaboration of an action plan for the species and increasing of the number of individuals in the population.
References. Jordanov 1929a; Baeva 1988.
Author: Tenyo Meshinev
