Anthemis argyrophylla
Anthemis argyrophylla (Halácsy & Georgiev) Velen.
Asteraceae – Daisy family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(ii); C2(ii)]. IUCN(V), BDA. Bulgarian endemic. Tertiary relict.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous, densely sericeous perennial. Stems up to 15–20 cm. Leaves lobed. Capitula 2–2.5 cm in diameter. Ligules white, tubular florets yellow. Achenes about 1.5 mm, smooth, with very short corona. Fl. V–VI, fr. VI–VII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds (dispersed through zoochory and barochory) and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. On strongly eroded stony and rocky places, rock crevices and terraces, on limestone. A single population known, comprising 70–80 specimens on an area of 200–300 m2.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Sredna Gora Mts (western – in the lowermost parts of the southern slopes of Eledzhik ridge, between Belovo and Sestrimo railway stations above Maritsa River), in the xerothermic oak forest belt; 350–400 m alt. Reported by Urumov (1917) for the valley of Yadenitsa River; reported for the region of Belogradchik town but not confirmed.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. The limited distribution and small population of the species, its low competitive capacity and the close proximity of industrial buildings threaten the species with extinction.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species with priority conserved habitats according to the national Biodiversity Act. Included in 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants with a category “vulnerable”. An Action plan for conservation of the species is in a process of elaboration.
Conservation measures needed. Designation of the species locality as a protected territory; research into the species biology and ecology; ex situ cultivation of the species in botanical and rock gardens; deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Urumov 1917; Kuzmanov 1978, 1984a; Ganchev 1992.
Author: Stefan Stanev
