Asperula involucrata
Asperula involucrata Wahlenb.
Rubiaceae – Bedstraw family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(iii)+2ab(ii)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous perennial. Stock with more or less slender stolons. Stems 15–40 cm high, erect or ascending, 4-angled. Leaves in whorls of 4, 10–25 × 3–6 mm, broadly elliptical to oblanceolate, obtuse, narrowed at base. Inflorescence paniculate, weakly branched. Partial inflorescences capitate, terminal and lateral, each with an involucrum of 3–4 mm long, lanceolate to oblong-elliptic, glabrous bracts. Corolla 4-lobed, 4–6 mm long, infundibuliform, white to pale pink, glabrous. Fruits ovoid, glabrous, weakly granulate. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–VIII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in dry grassy places in sparse oak forests. Extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are small – only two subpopulations in a single location are known. Solitary plants are present in the grass layer in coppice Quercus frainetto forests. Ruderalisation, weeds and unfavourable forest management cause reduction of the population density.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Strandzha Mts (between Rezovo and Ahtopol villages), 50–150 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey) and SW Asia (northern parts of Asia Minor).
Threats. Human activities (afforestation, wood extraction, livestock breeding, soil pollution); restricted distribution and small number of individuals per population.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the Biodiversity Act. The localities are within Strandzha Nature Park and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Studies on the number of individuals and area of the population; monitoring on the population and the species habitat.
References. Anchev 1984, 1989.
Author: Chavdar Gussev
