Petkovia orphanidea
Petkovia orphanidea (Boiss.) Stef.
Campanulaceae – Bellflower family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Laxly caespitose, appressed-hirsute perennial. Stems numerous, ascending or erect, usually 5–20 cm tall. Leaves ovate, entire or obsoletely repand-crenate. Inflorescence racemose. Flowers pedicelate to subsessile; calyx with small appendages between the teeth; corolla bluish violet, campanulate, up to 3 cm long. Capsule dehiscing on its upper part between the calyx-teeth. Fl. VI–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollinated. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in stony and limestone rocky places on shallow soils, sometimes also in rock crevices; from the coniferous forests belt to the high mountainous belt. Populations are fragmented, small, consisting of small groups of individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mt (Gotsev peak, Parilski Dol), Pirin Mts (northern – slopes of Orelyak and Baba peaks), Rhodopi Mts (western, central, westwards to Syutkya peak); from 1200 to 2400 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, N Greece).
Threats. Trampling by tourists, grazing and trampling by animals and forest fires cause habitat changes and have negative impact on populations state and reproduction.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Some localities are situated in protected territories (Orelyak Strict Nature Reserve in Pirin Mts, Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve in Slavyanka Mt, Trigradsko Zhdrelo Protected Site in Rhodopi Mts). All occurrences of the species lie within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Restriction of the tourist visits and other human activities within the species localities; deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria; elaboration of technologies for ex situ conservation and cultivation of the species.
References. Ančev 1984, in press.
Authors: Mincho Anchev & Valentina Goranova
