Cladium mariscus
Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl
Cyperaceae – Sedge family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,ii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iv,v); C2a(i)].
Morphology and biology. Robust, glaucous, herbaceous perennial with thick, creeping rhizome. Stem up to 2 m high, thin, cylindrical, hollow. Leaves very long, rigid, serrate. Inflorescence large panicle with dense spikes, each with 1 terminal male and several hermaphroditic flowers under it. Nut brown, shiny. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–IX. Wind pollination. Reproduction by vegetative means and seeds; seed recruitment is low.
Habitats and populations. Occurs on the periphery of saline swamps and marshes by the sea; in marshy places and wet meadows along rivers, on diluvial soils. Populations are very dense but on restricted area (2–3 up to several square meters) amounting up to 10–30(40) individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea coast, valley of Struma River (northern), Thracian Lowland, Toundzha Hilly Country; from 0 up to 400 m alt.
General distribution. Europe, Crimea, Caucasus, Asia Minor, Iran, China, S Africa, Australia, N and S America, Hawaii.
Threats. Draining of swamps, marshes and meadows; mowing of meadows before the seed ripening of the species; restricted and fragmented distribution; small area and low numbers of the populations; low reproductive potential.
Conservation measures taken. For protection of the habitats of the species the Biological Diversity Act requires establishment of protected areas in accordance with the regulations of the Protected Areas Act. Some localities are within sites of the European Ecological Network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the state of the populations and habitats; strict control on the implementation of the Biodiversity Act and Ramsar Convention.
References. Jordanov 1964; Markova 1984.
Author: Milka Stoeva
