Carex elata
Carex elata All.
Cyperaceae –Sedge family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv)c(i,ii,iii)+2ab(i,ii,iii)].
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous perennial, densely tufted, often tussock-forming plant. Stems 20–30(40) cm high, trigonous, with yellowish brown basal sheaths and greyish leaves. Inflorescence longer than the lower bract, consisting of 1–2 male and 1–4 female, erect, dense spikes. Utricles as long as the glume, broadly elliptical, grey green, without prominent veins. Fl. IV–V, fr. VI. Reproduction mainly by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs on the periphery of swamps, marshes and mires with shallow water. Populations are with small number of individuals and restricted area.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (western – Kupena Strict Nature Reserve), Tundzha Hilly Country (Dunavtsi village).
General distribution. Europe, Caucasus, Ural Mts, Siberia, Asia Minor, Algeria, Iraq.
Threats. Draining of wet areas, followed by grazing and tramping. As a result of the draining of the swamp Kazichensko Blato, and consecutive tramping, ruderalization and grazing the population that was first reported for Bulgaria disappeared.
Conservation measures taken. The population in Rhodopi Mts is within the borders of Kupena Strict Nature Reserve and in a site of the European Ecological Network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the two populations and their habitats. Proclamation of the locality near Dunavtsi village as protected area.
References. Stoeva 1994; Hajek et al. 2005; Stoeva et al. 2005.
Author: Milka Stoeva
