Cicerbita plumieri
Cicerbita plumieri (L.) Kirschl.
Asteraceae – Daisy family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ac(i,ii,iv); D]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial, glabrous, stems 60–130 cm. Leaves 50–60 × 20–170 mm, lyrate-pinnatifid with a large triangular terminal lobe and several pairs of more or less ovate lateral ones which are shorter than, but at least as wide as, the terminal; the midrib between lobes with a broad wing. Capitula in a wide, more or less corymbose panicle. Involucre 10–17 × 9–12 mm; bracts lanceolate or linear-lanceolate. Ligules blue. Achenes 5.5–6.5 mm, flat, linear to narrowly elliptical, conspicuously narrowed at apex. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by vegetative means and seeds, which are dispersed by wind.
Habitats and populations. Damp, shady places along streams in the coniferous belt. Populations consist of single individuals or small groups.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Vitosha region (Vitosha Mt – Reznyovete locality), Rila Mts (along Kriva Reka river, near Rila Monastery, Pastrina locality); from 1000 up to 1900 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain.
Threats. Unknown. Localities of the species are in areas with no human impact.
Conservation measures taken. Localities are within the borders of Rila Monastery Nature Park and Vitosha Nature Park, as well as in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Detailed study of the species chorology, density and size of populations, biology and ecology. Long-term monitoring and deposition of seeds in the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Sell 1976; Kochev 1984; Vladimirov 2006b.
Author: Dessislava Dimitrova
