Androsace obtusifolia
Androsace obtusifolia All.
Primulaceae – Primrose family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(i,ii,iii,v)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herb with axial root. Stems 4–7 cm high, erect, in the upper part with dense, short, simple or furcate hairs. Leaves in a basal rosette, lanceolate to linear, entire, glabrous, with ciliate margin. Inflorescence lax umbel. Calyx bell-shaped, lobes 5, with simple or furcated hairs. Corolla disk-shaped, petals cordate to spathulate, undulate at apex. Fruit is dehiscent capsule. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII– VIII. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative shoots.
Habitats and populations. Rocky and herbaceous places in the subalpine belt, with a single locality at the top of Midzhur peak, Balkan Range (western ). Due to the adaptation to very specific habitats populations are strongly fragmented, with low density. Occurs with single, scattered individuals. It has not been confirmed for a long time.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Western –Midzhur peak); at 2100 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula and C Europe.
Threats. Pasture, trampling, collecting, low reproduction capacity.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. The locality is within Midzhur Protected Site and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Targeted research in the correct vegetation period to confirm the species for the Bulgarian flora; investigation of potential threats, monitoring of the population state, reintroduction if necessary and sustainable management.
References. Peev 1982; Peev 1984.
Authors: Dimitar Peev, Sonya Tsoneva
