Arabis collina
Arabis collina Ten.
Brassicaceae – Cabbage family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iii); C2a(i)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herb. Stems 10−30 cm. Basal leaves in a rosette; cauline sessile, the lower broadly ovate, the upper lanceolate, covered with dense, branched hairs. Inflorescence racemose. Petals 8−10 mm long, pale pink to whitish. Siliqua falcate, glabrous. Seeds small, brown, ovate-oblong, narrowly winged. Fl. VI−VII, fr. VIII−IX. Insect pollinated. Reproduction by seeds dispersed by wind and through barochory.
Habitats and populations. Grows on calcareous rocky and stony places on poorly developed soil in the coniferous forests belt. Populations are fragmented, small, often taking part in the herbaceous layer of Pinus heldreichii forests together with Arabis procurrens, Kernera saxatilis, Micromeria cristata, Achillea ageratifolia, Chondrilla urumoffii, etc.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Pirin Mts, Slavyanka Mt; from (1100) 1300 up to 2000 m alt.
General distribution. S Europe, Mediterranean region.
Threats. The limited distribution area, small population sizes, trampling by tourists, grazing, fires and wood felling presuppose for habitat changes and decrease in the areas of occupancy.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Some localities fall within Pirin National Park and Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve and in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Population monitoring aiming at the optimization of the protection regime of the species; deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria; research on the possibilities for ex situ cultivation of the species and reintroduction in suitable natural habitats.
References. Assenov 1970; Ančev 2001, 2007.
Authors: Mincho Anchev & Valentina Goranova
