Caltha polypetala
Caltha polypetala Hochst.
Ranunculaceae – Buttercup family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)].
Morphology and biology. Perennial plant. Stems 30–50 cm, leafy, flowers numerous. Leaves with long petioles, ovate-orbicular, emarginated, lobes almost overlapping at base, obtuse-dentate. Flowers 2–4 cm in diameter, golden yellow. Perianth segments 6–8(10), narrowly elliptical. Follicles 10–12 × 3–4 mm, styles persistent. Fl. IV–VI, fr. V–VII.
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
