Delphinium peregrinum
Delphinium peregrinum L.
Ranunculaceae – Buttercup family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii)].
Morphology and biology. Annual. Stem 15–80 cm, branched, densely appressed, pubescent. Basal leaves shortly petiolate, cauline leaves sessile; lamina deeply 3-sect, the middle lobe 3-fid, with 6 linear-lanceolate lobes; lateral lobes 2-fid, with 6 linear-lanceolate lobes. Bracts sessile, at the apex of the inflorescence blue violet. Florets blue violet. Sepals 7–10 mm long, shorter than the spur. Lateral perianth segments from the outer circle ovate to elliptical, gradually narrowed into a long claw. Follicles 3, ca. 5 mm long, usually pubescent. Fl. VII–X, fr. VIII–X.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in dry, grasslands and scrub in the lowlands, and the belt of xerothermic oak forests. Populations are with low number of individuals, mosaic, strongly fragmented.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Valley of Struma River, Sredna Gora Mts, Thracian Lowland (Sakar – Pashovo, Shtit, Levka villages, Haskovo district); Toundzha Hilly Country (Straldzha village, Yambol district), Strandzha Mts (Malko Tarnovo); from 100 up to 700 m alt.
General distribution. Mediterranean area, Balkan Peninsula, SW Asia.
Threats. The adaptation of the species to a specific habitat.
Conservation measures taken. Some localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Protection of the species by the Biodiversity Act; monitoring of the population state.
References. Simeonovski & Penev 1970; Velchev & Vassilev 1971; Koeva 1984.
Author: Svetlana Bancheva
