Bupleurum ranunculoides
Bupleurum ranunculoides L.
Apiaceae – Carrot family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ac(i,v)+2ac(i,v)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous perennial. Stem 5–30 cm high, erect, glabrous. Leaves alternate, basal linear, sword-curved, uppermost cauline leaves broader, triangular-ovate, subamplexicaul, glabrous. Inflorescence compound umbel, with 5–10 rays, with 4–5 ovate, unequal bracts. Bracteoles 4–5, yellowish, almost orbicular. Umbels with many, small flowers. Fruit dry, 2.5–3 mm long, dehiscent in two parts (mericarps). Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Reproduction by vegetative means and seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in calcareous stony places, in subalpine open herbaceous communities. Population compact, with ca. 1000 individuals on an area of ca. 1 ha.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt – near Belcheva Skala summit); 1800–1900 m alt.
General distribution. C and S Europe (Pyrenees, the Alps, the Carpathians and part of the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula).
Threats. Isolated population – the locality in the most southeastern part of the distribution area of the species; restricted distribution.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the national Biodiversity Act. The only locality in Bulgaria is within the borders of Vitosha Nature Park and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria. Population is far off the tourist routes.
Conservation measures needed. Detailed study of the biology and ecology of the species and the existing threats; monitoring of the population state and collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Tutin 1968; Stoyanov 2004.
Author: Stoyan Stoyanov
