Alkanna jordanovii
Alkanna jordanovii Kožuharov
Boraginaceae –Borage family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN D]. BDA. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herbaceous plant, with simple and glandular hairs. Stems 10–30 cm long, slender, procumbent to ascending. Basal leaves in a rosette, linear-lanceolate; cauline sessile. Inflorescence terminal, dense, with few, yellow flowers. Bracts twice as long the calyx. Nutlets tuberculate-reticulate on the surface. Fl. IV–V, fr. VI–VIII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in dry sunny places with shallow soil and open limestone rocks. Populations are mosaic, with groups of maximum 50 individuals scattered on an area of several square meters. Individuals which grow in secondary ecological niches are the largest and most vigorous.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Thracian Lowland (Besaparski Hills), Tundzha Hilly Country (Yambol district); up to 200 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Soil erosion; damage of plants by grazing; restricted distribution; populations small in size and numbers of individuals, with low densities; low reproductive potential due to low germination rate of the seeds on the dry and hard substrate.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Some localities are within a site of the European Ecological Network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Protection of the species habitat in Besaparski hills; monitoring of the population and habitat state and implementation of urgent management activities when required.
References. Kožuharov 1989.
Author: Milka Stoeva
