Aristolochia rotunda
Aristolochia rotunda L.
Aristolochiaceae – Birthwort family
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU B2ab(ii,iii); C2a(i)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous perennial. Stems 15–100 cm, simple or branched, glabrous. Leaves 2–8(13) cm, ovate-orbicular, amplexicaul; petiole not more than 0.5 cm. Flowers (2)3–6 cm, yellow, the limb dark brown; pedicels longer than the petioles. Capsule 1–2 cm, globose. Fl. IV–V, fr. V–VII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Dry, open scrubs and rare oak forests. Subpopulations are small and strongly fragmented.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Valley of Struma River (Southern – near Petrich), Rhodopi Mts (Eastern – Kardzhali, Krumovgrad, Ivailovgrad), Thracian Lowland (Svilengrad, Haskovo); up to 600 m alt.
General distribution. S Europe, Balkan Peninsula, Mediterranean region, N Africa.
Threats. Change in land ownership; building activities on the site where the species is distributed; building of roads and railways.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Some localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Elaboration of an action plan and detailed study of the chorology, biology and ecology of the species, numerical strength and size of its subopulations; long-term monitoring; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Assenov 1970; Meshinev 1984.
Author: Dessislava Dimitrova
