Centaurea rumelica
Centaurea rumelica Boiss.
Asteraceae – Daisy family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial. Stems 30–50 cm. Leaves subglabrous or arachnoid hairy; lower cauline leaves entire; upper are lyrate, lateral lobes lanceolate, terminal lobe oblong-lanceolate. Involucre 17–20 mm in diameter. Involucral bracts acuminate. Florets yellow, outer equal to inner. Achenes ca. 4 mm long; pappus 1/3 as long as the achene. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–VIII. Insect pollination.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in grasslands and scrub. Populations are fragmented and consist mainly of several tens of individuals. The individuals are in good state but with low reproductive potential. The species participates in steppe herbaceous communities.
Distribution in Bulgaria. NE Bulgaria (Silistra district), Danubian Plain (Vidin, Lom, Vratsa regions); up to 500 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia).
Threats. Ploughing of grasslands; grazing and tramping by cattle; low reproductive and migration potential of the species; specific habitat conditions; restricted distribution.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the biology and ecology of the species and the reproductive potential in situ; proclamation of a protected area; monitoring of the population state; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Dostál 1976; Ninova 1984.
Author: Svetlana Bancheva
