Centranthus kellereri
Centranthus kellereri (Stoj., Stef. & T.Georgiev) Stoj. & Stef.
Valerianaceae – Valerian Family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(v)]. IUCN(R), BDA, BC. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herbs with very well developed root system. Stems 50–80 cm high, glabrous, simple or branched, erect or ascending. Leaves opposite, glabrous, entire; basal and middle-cauline leaves petiolate, oblong lanceolate; upper sessile, linear lanceolate. Inflorescence terminal cyme. Corolla 5-lobed, tubular, purple red to lilac, rarely white; spur linear. Fruit monospermous with setaceous pappus. Fl. VI–VIII, fr. VII–IX. Reproduction by seeds and vegetatively, with good reproductive capacity.
Habitats and populations. Steep slopes, limestone, rock screes. The two known localities are significantly isolated. In Pirin Mt the locality occurs in forests of Pinus heldraichii, while in Vrachanska planina Mt it is found at the transition between oak and beech belts. Populations are comprised of high numbers of individuals forming pink aspect during flowering. Separate individuals can be seen in Pesterite and Academika localities in Pirin Mts.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Forebalkan (Western – Vrachanska Planina Mt between Chelopek and Pavolche villages); Pirin Mts (Northern – Banski Suhodol Cirque, Peshterite, Akademika localities); 600–1900 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Extremely low temperatures stop the seed development.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Included in 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants with a category “rare”. The localities are included within the border of Pirin National Park and Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park (in the buffer zone of Vrachanski karst Strict Nature Reserve) as well as in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the populations state.
Notes. In taxonomic literature this taxon is accepted as Centranthus longiflorus Steven subsp. kellereri (Stoj., Stef. & T.Georgiev) I. Richardson.
References. Velchev & Vassilev 1970; Meshinev 1984; Delipavlov et al. 1995; Walter & Gillet 1998; Meshinev 2006.
Authors: Dimitar Peev, Sonya Tsoneva
