Cerastium moesiacum
Cerastium moesiacum Friv.
Caryophyllaceae – Pink family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN A2a; B1ac(ii); C2a(i)]. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial. Stems up to 40 cm high, appressed-hairy. Lower leaves elliptical, upper lanceolate, up to 25 mm long and 10 mm wide, appressed hairy. Flowers many, in oblong pseudo-umbels. Bracts obtuse, with wide scarious margin. Petals 2–3 times as long as the sepals. Capsule erect, 10–12 mm long. Seed yellow brown, 1.6 mm wide, rugose. Fl. VI, fr. VII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in alpine meadows, on silicate, accompanied by Festuca balcanica, Phleum alpinum, Poa alpina, Sesleria comosa, Bellardiochloa violacea, etc.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (central – along the path between Rai chalet and Botev peak); 2350 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria, Serbia.
Threats. Building of telecommunication constructions, stock breeding, tourism.
Conservation measures taken. Populations are within the borders of Central Balkan National Park and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Protection of the species by the Biodiversity Act; study of the eco-biological requirements of the species and deflection of the tourist flow from the species locality, along the southern slope of Botev peak.
References. Kožuharov & Kuzmanov 1966; Stojanov et al. 1966; Petrova 1992; Niketić 1995-98.
Author: Dimitar Dimitrov
