Caltha polypetala

Caltha polypetala Hochst.

Ranunculaceae – Buttercup family

Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)].

Morphology and biology. Perennial plant. Stems 3050 cm, leafy, flowers numerous. Leaves with long petioles, ovate-orbicular, emarginated, lobes almost overlapping at base, obtuse-dentate. Flowers 24 cm in diameter, golden yellow. Perianth segments 68(10), narrowly elliptical. Follicles 1012 × 34 mm, styles persistent. Fl. IVVI, fr. VVII.

Habitats and populations. Wet places and mires in the lowlands and low mountain belt. Populations are strongly fragmented, with few individuals.

Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (Western – Tsigov Chark locality), Thracian Lowland (Sadovo); from 150 up to 700 m alt. Reported for Znepole Region (Radomir district).

General distribution. Balkan Peninsula, SW Asia and Caucasus.

Threats. Drainage; specificity of the species habitat.

Conservation measures taken. Some localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.

Conservation measures needed. Protection of the species by national Biodiversity Act; study of the species biology and the possibilities for supporting the propagation in situ; proclamation of a protected territory.

References. Kozhuharov & Markova 1970; Koeva 1984.

Author: Svetlana Bancheva


Caltha polypetala (distribution map)

Caltha polypetala (drawing)