Betonica scardica
Betonica scardica Griseb.
Stachys scardica (Griseb.) Hayek1, 2
Lamiaceae – Mint family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,ii,iii)+2ab(ii)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial. Stem erect, 60–80 cm, not branched. Leaves oblong-ovate, 4–9 cm long, 2–4 cm wide, broadest at the cordate base, deeply crenate-dentate, rarely pubescent above, densely pubescent to tomentose beneath, hairs stellate; petiole of basal leaves longer than the lamina; cauline leaves 4–5 pairs, on short petioles or sessile. Inflorescence narrowly cylindrical, lowest 1–2 verticillasters distant form the remaining part of the inflorescence. Bracts almost equal to the calyx, broadly lanceolate. Calyx 9–11 mm long, glabrous at base, with simple stellate hairs to the apex. Corolla white, sometimes tinged with pink, with stellate hairs on the outer surface. Filaments hairy, anthers purple. Nuts brown, trigonous, elongated. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–X. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. In rare xeromesophytic oak forests and scrub. Populations cover restricted areas and are with low density. In Borovski Dol locality, the habitat of the species is deteriorated and the population is suppressed as a result of planting with Pinus sylvetsris.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Znepole Region (Rudina Mt – Borovski Dol locality near Ushi village; Konyavska Mt – Matitsa river), West Frontier Mts (Osogovo Mt above Kyustendil); at approx. 800 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, R Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia).
Threats. Economic activities (grazing, afforestation, timber production); restricted distribution and small populations.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. The localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the numerical strength and the distribution area of the populations; monitoring of the population and habitat state; collection of seeds for storage in relevant seed gene banks.
References. Koeva, 1984, 1989; Petrova & Vladimirov, 2010.
Author: Chavdar Gussev
