Anthemis regis-borisii
Anthemis regis-borisii Stoj. & Acht.
Asteraceae – Daisy family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,v)]. BDA. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial plant. Stems 10–20 cm, branched from the base, grey pubescent. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, 2–3 cm long, the lower pinnate, segments linear-spathulate. Inflorescences terminal, with 2–4 capitula, 2–2.5 cm in diameter. Ligules white, up to 10 mm long, tubular florets yellow. Involucre hairy, middle bracts oblong, with a membranous margin. Achenes conical, with a short membranous auricle. Fl. V–VI, fr. VI–VII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows on Tertiary sands in the natural phenomenon Pobiti Kamani (established in 7 groups of Pobiti Kamani and in some open sandy places inbetween) and on stony places and screes on Madarsko Plateau. The vegetation cover is open, with chasmophytic and psammophytic species. The area of occurrence is less than 1000 sq. km, the area of occupancy – less than 0.2 sq. km.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea coast (Pobiti Kamani, Varna district), NE Bulgaria (Madarsko Plateau); up to 300 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Limited distribution; afforestation of the sandy terrains in the last century; invasive behaviour of Opuntia vulgaris in Beloslav Zapad group of Pobiti Kamani, where the population is the most abundant; trampling by the visitors in the Central group of Pobiti Kamani and on Madara Plateau.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Most of the localities are in protected areas (Pobiti Kamani and Madarski Skalni Ventsi Protected Sites) and in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the populations; elimination of the negative factors in the Beloslav Zapad group of Pobiti Kamani locality as well as prevention of trampling in the central group of Pobiti Kamani; cessation of illegal grazing in the protected areas.
Note. The species qualifies the criteria B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,v) for Critically Endangered; however, considering the existence of 10 populations, 8 of which are located in protected areas, the category was downgraded by one level.
References. Stojanoff & Achtaroff 1937; Thin 1980; Kuzmanov 1984; Petrova 1997; Filipova-Marinova & Petrova 2003.
Author: Antoaneta Petrova
