Arenaria cretica
Arenaria cretica Spreng.
Caryophyllaceae – Pink family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ac(ii); D]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Densely caespitose perennial. Stems 2–10 cm, slender, glandular at the inflorescence. Leaves 3–10 mm long, oblong-elliptical or oblanceolate, obtuse, glabrous or glandular, with 1 vein. Inflorescence corymbose, with 1–5 flowers, peduncles 1–3 mm long, exceeding the sepals. Petals over 2 times as long as the sepals, white. Capsule ovate. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–VIII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in the subalpine belt. Participates in open hasmophytic communities on wet, limestone rocks.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mt (Gotsev peak); 2200 m alt.
General distribution. S Albania, Bulgaria, C and S Greece, R Macedonia, Crete.
Threats. Tourism, forest fires above the timberline.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. The population is within the borders of Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the populations and the eco-physiological requirements of the species.
References. Chater & Hallidey 1964; Micevski 1993; Pashaliev & Dimitrov 1995.
Author: Dimitar Dimitrov
