Campanula lanata
Campanula lanata Friv.
Campanulaceae – Bellflower family
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU B1ab(ii,iii)]. BDA, IUCN(R), BC. Balkan endemic. Tertiary relict.
Morphology and biology. Biennial herb with latex. Stem 30–70 cm tall, often branched from the base, villous. Leaves ovate, sericeous-tomentose; basal larger, arranged in a rosette; cauline with a winged petiole. Flowers numerous, in a racemose inflorescence, yellowish white to whitish, campanulate. Capsule many seeded. Fl. VII–IX, fr. IX–X. Insect pollinated. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Grows in limestone and siliceous rocky places and rock crevices, usually in shadow, in the oak and beech forests belts. Populations are with relatively good numerical strength.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Central), Valley of Mesta River, Rila Mts, Sredna Gora Mts, Rhodopi Mts (western, central); from 600 to 1100(1500) m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, Greece, R Macedonia).
Threats. Wood cutting, climate aridisation and forest fires cause habitat changes and have negative impacts on the populations.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species with priority habitats for conservation according to the national Biodiversity Act. Listed in the 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants as a rare species. Some localities are situated in protected territories (Rila National Park, Kozya Stena and Stara Reka Strict Nature Reserves in Central Balkan National Park, Kupena and Chervenata Stena Strict Nature Reserves in Rhodopi Mts.) and in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Population monitoring aiming at the optimization of their protection regime; deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria; investigation into the possibilities for ex situ cultivation of the species for ornamental purposes.
References. Fedorov 1976; Walter & Gillet 1998; Anchev 2006; Ančev (in press).
Authors: Mincho Anchev & Valentina Goranova
