Bromus parilicus
Bromus parilicus Petrova, Kožuharov & Ehrend.
Poaceae – Grass family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ac(ii,iii)]. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Rhizomatous, densely caespitose perennial. Stems 40–70 cm high, erect or arcuate at base. Leaf-sheaths glabrous, sparsely ciliate, ligule 0.2–0.5 mm long. Basal leaves 10–30 cm, acuminate, erect or deflexed; cauline leaves 3–5 cm, glabrous. Inflorescence 6–12 cm long panicle, with unequal branches; spikelets 7–11, 2–2.5 cm long, oblong, each with 5–9 flowers; glumes almost equal, lower 9–10 mm, 1-veined, the upper 10–11 mm, 3-veined, with hyaline margins. Lemma 10–12 mm, lanceolate, margins membranous, shortly 2-tothed at the apex, awn straight 6–8 mm long. Palea 6–8 mm, hairy, acute, margins hairy. Fl. V–VI, fr. VI–VII. Wind pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Dry grassy and rocky places, in open communities. Small populations with limited areas.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mt (Parilski Dol locality), Pirin Mts (southern), Rhodopi Mts (central – Rakovo Dere locality); above 1000 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Habitat change in some of the localities as a result of changed land management (succession of grasslands to scrublands or forests, grazing, trampling).
Conservation measures taken. For protection of the habitats of the species the Biological Diversity Act requires establishment of protected areas in accordance with the regulations of the Protected Areas Act. Some localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria; monitoring of the population in the classical locality of Parilski Dol and establishment of the population trends.
References. Petrova et al. 1997.
Author: Ana Petrova
