Crambe tataria
Crambe tataria Sebeok
Brassicaceae – Cabbage family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iii)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous perennial with a fleshy stock. Stem 60–100(150) cm, strongly branched. Leaves somewhat fleshy, hispid to subglabrous; basal up to 40 cm long, pinnatifid to pinnatisect. Flowers numerous, white, long pedicellate; petals obovate, 3–6 mm long. Fruit a transversely articulate silicula, upper segment subglobose, 1-seeded, lower one cylindrical, sterile. Seeds brown, smooth. Fl. V–VI(VII); fr. VI–VIII. Insect pollinated. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Grows in dry grassy places usually on sandy soil, by roads and on cultivated ground (vineyards, crop fields). Populations are fragmented, comprising small groups of plants or scattered individuals. The species has good reproductive potential.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea coast, NE Bulgaria (in the region of Dobrich and Shoumen towns), Danubian Plain (valley of Stoudena River).
General distribution. C, S and E Europe, the Caucasus, Siberia.
Threats. Infrastructure development in the coastal area causes habitat deterioration. The intensive agricultural activities in the species distribution area cause habitat changes and reductions in population sizes.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Two localities in the Black Sea coast floristic region are included in protected territories (Kaliakra Strict Nature Reserve and Pomoriysko Ezero Protected Site). Some localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Restriction of the agricultural activities and building construction works in close proximity to the occurrences of the species.
References. Kuzmanov 1970; Stanev 1984; Ančev 2001, 2007; Tzonev 2005.
Authors: Valentina Goranova & Mincho Anchev
