Betonica bulgarica
Betonica bulgarica Degen & Neič.
Stachys bulgarica (Degen & Neič.) Hayek1, 2
Lamiaceae – Mint family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(ii)]. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial plant with a horizontal rhizome. Stem erect, densely pubescent, up to 50 cm high. Leaves oblong ovate, cordate at base, coarsely crenate or crenate-dentate. Verticillasters in a dense spike, rarely the lowermost one distant. Calyx 8–9 mm long, teeth hairy at base, with a long apical spine. Corolla pink purple, upper lip entire or furcate at apex, lower with large middle part and 2 smaller lateral segments. Nutlets brown, trigonous. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–X. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds and rhizome shoots.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in open, stony and sandy ground in the oak and beech forests belts. The plant is with good reproductive potential; population area is 0.3–0.5 ha.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (central, eastern), Thracian Lowland; from 700 up to 1500 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Grazing, collection of the plant as herb.
Conservation measures taken. Some localities are within the borders of Central Balkan National Park and/or in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study on the biology and ecology of the species, and the numerical strength of the populations; investigation into the potential of the species for introduction in culture; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Hayek 1929; Koeva 1984, 1989; Grozeva et al. 2004.
Author: Elena Genova
