Arenaria ciliata
Arenaria ciliata L.
Caryophyllaceae – Pink family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ac(ii,iii); C2a(ii)]. BDA. Glacial relic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herbaceous plant. Stems up to 7 cm high, scabrid. Leaves broadly elliptical, oblanceolate or spathulate, the midrib prominent below, ciliate in its lower part. Inflorescence semiumbellate. Fruit capsule. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VIII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in eroded areas on limestone in the subalpine belt. Populations are with small number of individuals. Participates in open communities of Carex curvula, Salix retusa, etc.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rila Mts (Mramoretski Cirque); 2400 m alt.
General distribution. Europe (Austria, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, former Yugoslavia).
Threats. Tourism, fires above the timberline.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Its population is within the borders of Rila National Park and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the eco-physiological requirements of the species and monitoring of the population state.
References. Chater & Hallidey 1964; Roussakova 1995.
Author: Dimitar Dimitrov
