Betonica haussknechtii
Betonica haussknechtii Hausskn.
Stachys balcanica P.W. Ball1, 2
Lamiaceae – Mint family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(ii)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herbaceous plant with a short horizontal rhizome. Stem erect, appressed hairy, up to 1 m high. Leaves oblong-ovate, cordate at base, dentate. Verticillasters in a long spike, the lowermost distant. Calyx 8–9 mm long, glabrous, teeth triangular-subulate, spiny. Corolla white, 9–10 mm long, lips up to 6 mm long, shortly pubescent on outer surface; upper entire, lower 3-fid with a broad central segment. Nutlets brown. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds and rhizome shoots. The species is with good reproductive potential.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in grassy and stony places in rare oak and beech forests. Participates in the composition of herbaceous communities. Populations are with low number of individuals and cover areas of up to 0.1 ha.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (eastern – Krumovgrad region; central – Smolyan region), Thracian Lowland (Harmanli region); 200–1260 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey).
Threats. Grazing, tramping and collection of the plants for decorative purposes.
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. Study of the biology and ecology of the species, numerical strength of the populations; proclamation of protected areas to conserve some of the localities; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Stefanov 1966; Koeva 1984, 1989.
Author: Elena Genova
