Amygdalus delipavlovii
Amygdalus delipavlovii S. Seraf.
Amygdalus webbii Spach1, 2, 3
Rosaceae – Rose family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR C2a(i)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Shrub. Stems 2–4 m high, with spiny branches. Leaves narrowly lanceolate, 3–4 cm long, about 1 cm wide, alternate. Flowers solitary or in clusters of 2–3, subsessile or sessile. Petals about 1 cm long, pale pinkish to white. Fruit 2–2.5 cm long, ovoid-globose, slightly compressed, acute at apex. Fl. IV–V, fr. VIII. Insect pollination.
Habitats and populations. Grows in stony and dry places, forming shrubby communities with Jasminum fruticans, Paliurus spina-christi, Pyrus amygdaliformis, etc. The population is fragmented, small, comprising about 200 individuals. The locality on Kozhouh hill is the most abundant.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Western Frontier Mountains (near Palat village and by Lebnitsa River, to the south from Igralisshte village, Malashevska Mt), valley of Struma River (southern – northern part of Kozhouh hill); 300–350 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Major threats are the very limited distribution, small population and poor reproductive potential determined by the hybrid nature of the species, as well as hybrid breakdown.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the Bulgarian Biodiversity Act. The locality in Kozhouh hill is included in Kozhouha Nature Monument.
Conservation measures needed. More precise determination of the population size and area of distribution, research into species biology and ecology, threats; study on habitat state and elaboration of an action plan for the species conservation.
References. Delipavlov 1966; Vălev 1973; Serafimov 1983.
Author: Desislava Sopotlieva
