Asterolinon linum-stellatum
Asterolinon linum-stellatum (L.) Duby
Primulaceae – Primrose family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Annual herbs, with axial rhizome and rhizomatous branches. Stems branched at base, 2–10 cm high, erect, glabrous. Leaves lanceolate, acute, sessile, with membranous margins, glabrous. Pedicels short. Calyx with 5 deep, acuminate lobes. Flower tube very short, disk shaped. Petals 5, emarginate at apex,whitish, persistent at fruit. Fruit dehiscent capsule. Fl. III–V, fr. IV– VI. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Dry herbaceous, sunny places and bushes. Forms strongly fragmented populations consisting of scattered individuals very often on the eroded grounds.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Valley of Struma River (Malak Kozhuh Mt, around Marino pole, Pripechene, Damyanitsa villages); Pirin Mts (Southern – Lyalevo village, Sveta Elena peak); Rhodopi Mts (Western – Novo Selo village; Eastern – Kardzhaly district); up to 1100 m alt.
General distribution. SE Europe, Crimea, Caucasus, SE Asia, N Africa.
Threats. Deterioration of the habitats due to progressive aridisation, pasture, ploughing, soil and water pollution, development of ruderal vegetation.
Conservation measures taken. Some of the localities are within the borders of Rupite Protected Site, Kozhuha Nature Monument near Petrich and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank of Bulgaria. Protection of the species by the Biodiversity Act.
References. Peev 1982; Peev 1984.
Authors: Dimitar Peev, Sonya Tsoneva
