Corynephorus divaricatus
Corynephorus divaricatus (Pourr.) Breistr.
Corynephorus articulatus (Desf.) P. Beauv.3
Poaceae – Grass family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(ii,iii,iv)+2ab(ii,iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Annual. Stem 10–35 cm high, erect, glabrous. Leaves filiform, 0.5 mm wide, scabrid on both sides. Panicle erect-patent, 5–10 cm long, 2–6 cm wide, with scabrid branches. Spikelets ovate, with 2 florets. Glumes lanceolate, subequal, shining, scarious, diffuse pubescent or scabrid only on the keel, 3–5 mm long, exceeding the florets, persistent. Lemma oval, without keel, ca. 2 mm long, with 2.5 mm long awn on its dorsal side. Caryopsis elliptic. Fl. IV–V, fr. V–VI. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs on shallow, sandy and stony soils on southern slopes, in open communities of mainly annual grass species (class Thero–Brachypodietea). Populations are fragmented with low number of individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Valley of Struma River (Southern – Kartaletsa hill, near Kulata village, Petrich district); 100–200 m alt.
General distribution. Mediterranean area (Europe, Africa), Transcaucasus, SW Asia (Asia Minor, Lebanon, Syria).
Threats. Grazing and tramping by domestic animals; habitat fragmentation as a result of establishment of vineyards and orchards; restricted distribution; small number of individuals in the population.
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. The locality is within a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria. A proposal for designation of this locality as a protected area has been submitted. An Action plan for conservation of the species is in a process of elaboration.
Conservation measures needed. Detailed study of the size and numerical strength of the population, biology and ecology of the species and the existing threats; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Velchev & Bondev 1961; Stoeva 1984; Dogan 1985.
Author: Stoyan Stoyanov
