Anchusa davidovii
Anchusa davidovii Stoj.
Boraginaceae – Borage family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(ii,v)+2ab(ii,v)]. BDA. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herb with densely appressed soft hairy stems, 10–40 cm high. Leaves lanceolate, basal with short petiole, middle and upper smaller, sessile. Inflorescence cymose. Flowers small, sessile. Calyx bell shaped, with acute lobes. Petals pale blue, corolla tube shorter than calyx, corolla lobes densely setose. Fruit dehiscent capsule. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII– VIII. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. In dry or stony meadows in coniferous and sub-alpine belts in the area of Suhoto Ezero lake. The population is comprised of small numbers of individuals, fragmented.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rila Mts (Suhoto Ezero lake); 1500–2200 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Deterioration of habitat as a result of the climate aridisation; limited distribution; low density of the population, diminishing of the number of individuals due to active tourism in the area of distribution.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. The population is within the borders of Rilski Manastir Nature park as well as in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Investigations into the numerical strength and area of distribution, and monitoring of the population status in order to optimise the conservation measures implemented.
References. Kožuharov 1989; Petrova 2006.
Authors: Dimitar Peev, Sonya Tsoneva
