Centaurea bovina
Centaurea bovina Velen.
Asteraceae – Daisy family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Biennial. Stems 30–40 cm, strongly branched. Leaves uneven, with scattered arachnoid hairs; lower leaves pinnate. Capitula single or 2–3 in clusters. Involucrum 6–7 mm long, c. 3.5 mm wide, conically-cylindrical. Involucral bracts triangular. Appendages with erect-deflexed, 3 mm long apical spine. Florets purple, 4–6 per capitulum. Achenes c. 3 mm long; pappus absent. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–VIII. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. In dry and stony places. Participates in open, xerothermic communities. Populations are in good state, comprising of 100–200 individuals but are strongly fragmented and with low dispersal potential.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (eastern) and Toundzha Hilly Country; up to 400 m alt. Reported also for NE Bulgaria.
General distribution. Bulgaria, Greece.
Threats. Decrease of the population area caused by agricultural use; low reproductive and dispersal potential of the species; the specificity of the habitat; restricted distribution.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Included in 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants as “indetermined”. The population in Balkan Range (eastern) is within the borders of Sinite Kamani Nature Park near Sliven and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the population state; support of propagation in situ, collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Dostál 1976; Georgiadis 1983; Walter & Gillet 1998.
Author: Svetlana Bancheva
