Alopecurus thracicus
Alopecurus thracicus Penev & Kožuharov
Poaceae – Grass family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ac(ii,iii)]. IUCN(V). Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Annual herb. Stems 3–50 cm high, glabrous, single or several. Leaves 3–6 cm long, convolute, linear or setaceous, acute; leaf-sheaths sulcate, glabrous, ligule membranous, obtuse, the lowest inflated. Inflorescence 1.5–4 cm long, cylindrical spike-like panicle. Spikelets 3–3.5 mm long; glumes acute, glabrous, connate at the base, 3-veined in the upper part; lemma shorter than glumes, glabrous, membranous, with twisted awn, arising from the base. Fruit elongate pale brown caryopsis. Fl. V, fr. VI–VII. Wind pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Wet meadows, flooded areas. Small populations with low density. Known only from the classical locality, the distribution area is very limited, and thus the species qualify for critically endangered.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Thracian Lowland (along the Maritsa river, between Lyubimets and Svilengrad, the Kelemeto locality), c. 100 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Potential disturbance of the habitat and threat of future exploitation (the locality is situated near an intensively-used road).
Conservation measures taken. For protection of the habitats of the species the Biological Diversity Act requires establishment of protected areas in accordance with the regulations of the Protected Areas Act. Included in 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants as ‘Vulnerable.’ Some localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Deposition of seeds in the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria; control on habitats protection.
References. Penev & Kozuharov 1968; Vassilev 1984, 1992; Kozhuharov 1992a; Walter & Gillett 1998.
Author: Ana Petrova
