Alkanna stojanovii
Alkanna stojanovii Kožuharov
Boraginaceae – Borage family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ac(iii); C2a(i)]. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herbaceous plant with tape root. Stems 10–17(20), 25–30 cm high, with a basal rosette. Leaves linear-lanceolate to linear-elliptical, acute, narrowing into a petiole. Inflorescence simple, oblong, lax, glandular. Bracts linear-lanceolate, acute, equal or exceeding the calyx. Flowers dense, almost sessile. Calyx 6–7 mm long at flowering, 10–11 mm long at fruiting. Corolla pale yellow, campanulate, 6–7 mm in diameter, after anthesis pigeon blue; tube exceeding the calyx. Nutlets 4, dry, each 2–2.5 mm in diameter, densely tuberculate. Fl. III–V, fr. V–VI. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in dry, stony, calcareous soils, in lowlands and foothills. Populations with small area and low density. Participates in herbaceous communities together with Crupina vulgaris, Salvia argentea, Hippocrepis ciliata, Festuca valesiaca, etc.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mt (Nova Lovcha village, Gotse Delchev region), Pirin Mts (southern – above Gorno Spanchevo village, Blagoevgrad region), Thracian Lowland (Svilengrad region), Toundzha Hilly Country (Matochina village, Svilengrad region); from 350 to 1000 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Fires in Slavyanka and Sakar Mts; ploughing of pastures and meadows; changes in land use.
Conservation measures taken. The localities in Slavyanka Mt are within the borders of Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve.
Conservation measures needed. Protection of the species by the Biodiversity Act; proclamation of a protected area to conserve the localities in Sakar Mt; monitoring of the population state.
References. Kozhuharov 1989.
Author: Dimitar Dimitrov
