Arenaria pirinica
Arenaria pirinica Stoj.
Caryophyllaceae – Pink family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1a+2ab(iv)]. BDA. Bulgarian endemic. Glacial relic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial caespitose plant. Stems 0.5–3 cm, erect or ascending. Leaves oblanceolate or obovate, obtuse or shortly acuminate, sessile. Flowers single or in pairs. Capsule globose-ovate. Fl. VII, fr. VIII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows on marble rocks in the alpine belt, together with Saxifraga ferdinandi-coburgi, Silene saxifraga, Draba athoa, etc.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Pirin Mts (northern – Kamenititsa, Razlozhki Suhodol and Bayuvi Dupki Cirques; southern – Orelyak peak); between 2300–2400 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Tourism and recreation activities, avalanches, land slides.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Populations are within the borders of Bayuvi Dupki-Dzhindzhiritsa and Orelyak Strict Nature Reserves and Pirin National Park. The localities are in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the population state.
References. Stojanoff 1941; Chater & Hallidey 1964; Andreev 1984.
Author: Dimitar Dimitrov
