Chondrilla urumoffii
Chondrilla urumoffii Degen
Asteraceae – Daisy family
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU B2ab(ii,iii)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial with short, woody stock. Stems 10–30 cm, usually single. Basal leaves in a rosette, spathulate; cauline leaves few, bract like, linear. Capitula terminal, with 5–10 ligulate florets. Involucral bracts in two rows, with single, black hairs at the apex. Achenes beaked, with a corona of thick scales and white pappus. Fl. VI–VI, fr. VII–VIII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by wind-dispersed seeds and vegetative means (root shoots). Relatively low reproductive potential.
Habitats and populations. Subpopulations with not more than 100 individuals. Grows in dry, grassy, calcareous places in coniferous forests.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mt, Pirin Mts (Northern), Rhodopi Mts (Central); from 1000 up to 1200 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria, Greece.
Threats. Mainly anthropogenic – intensive grazing, wood cutting in coniferous forests, trampling, camping, construction activities related to tourism development (mainly in Pirin and Central Rhodopi Mts).
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the national Biodiversity Act. Most of the localities are within the borders of Chervena Stena and Kastrakli Strict Nature Reserves in the Rhodopi Mts, in Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve and in Pirin National Park, as well as in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Detailed study of the chorology, biology and ecology of the species, numerical strength and area of its subpopulations; long-term monitoring; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Ganchev 1984; Peev 1992.
Author: Dessislava Dimitrova
