Convolvulus boissieri
Convolvulus boissieri Steud.
Convolvulus compactus Boiss.1, 2, C. suendermannii Bornm.1, 2
Convolvulaceae– Bindweed family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(i,iii)+2ab(i,iii)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Dwarf, cushion-like, sericeous plant. Rhizome woody, branched. Stems woody, 3–7 cm, shoots grassy. Leaves sessile or gradually attenuate in broad petioles, spathulate-oblanceolate or rhombic, 1–3(4) times longer than wide, or lamina as long as wide, obtuse or acute, entire. Flowers terminal, single or with few lateral flowers. Sepals sericeous, uneven, outer oblong, elliptical at base, oblanceolate, ovate or rhombic to oblong-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, with scarious margin. Corolla 15–20 mm long, 1.5–2-times as long as the calyx, pink (more rarely purple), infundibuliform, with 5 longitudinal hairy stripes. Capsule ovate to globose, hairy, with 2–4 seeds. Seeds ovate to rhombic, dark brown. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–IX. Reproduction by seeds and partly by vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Grows on rocky and grassy places, on shallow, eroded soils. Populations in Bulgaria belong to two subspecies – C. b. subsp. parnassicus (Boiss.& Orph.) Kuzmanov distributed in the xerothermic oak forests and C. b. subsp. suendermannii (Bornm.) Kuzmanov, distributed in the belt of Pinus heldreichii forests. They are assectators or co-dominants in xerothermic, hasmophytic plant communities. Populations are in a good state but fragmented.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (Eastern – Avren, Golyamo Kamenyane, Kazak, Zhalti Chal, Dobromirtsi, Dzhebel and Balabanovo villages – C. b. subsp. parnassicus (Boiss.& Orph.) Kuzmanov), Slavyanka Mt (above Paril village – C. b. subsp. suendermannii (Bornm.) Kuzmanov).
General distribution. S Europe (Spain, Balkan Peninsula) and SW Asia (Asia Minor).
Threats. Economic activities (exploitation of ores and minerals, hydro-technical constructions, infrastructure development, grazing); restricted distribution and fragmented populations.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Part of the locality of C. b. subsp. suendermannii is within the borders of Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve. The occurrences of the species are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the numerical strength and size of the populations and monitoring of their state; collection of seeds for storage in gene banks.
References. Velchev 1970, 1972, 1984; Kuzmanov 1982; Uzunov et al. 2002.
Author: Chavdar Gussev
