Dianthus pallidiflorus
Dianthus pallidiflorus Ser.2
D. campestris Bieb. subsp. pallidiflorus (Ser.) Smalg.3
Caryophyllaceae – Pink family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv)]. IUCN(R), BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial, herbaceous plant with many, up to 50 cm high stems. Basal leaves withered at anthesis; cauline leaves 3.5–6 cm long, usually 6–7 pairs, flat, soft. Epicalyx-scales usually 4, ⅓ - ¾ as long as the calyx, ovate, with scarious margin. Petal limb 4–6.5 mm long, dentate, with tuft of hairs on the upper side, white or pale pink. Fruit capsule. Fl. VI–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Dry grassy places.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea Coast (Southern – Pomorie, Aheloy, Nesebar, Banevo); not confirmed for Rhodopi Mts (Western), Thracian Lowland, Tundzha Hilly Country.
General distribution. Bulgaria, (?) Greece, Ukraine (Crimea), Russia.
Threats. The main threats for the species survival are not precisely known, but it is assumed that these are mainly connected with the degradation and loss of the species habitats, due to agriculture (overgrazing, hay-making, etc.), intensive infrastructure development (village development, tourism and recreation, transport infrastructure). The species has been probably influenced also by soil pollution by agriculture and domestic and industrial waste.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the IUCN Red list as “Rare” and protected by the national Biodiversity Act. Some of the known localities are within sites from the European Ecological Network Natura 2000.
Conservation measures needed. Research on the status and the distribution of this species and the other members of this species group. Further survey of the population extent and the threats for the species survival. Conservation of the species habitats.
References. Stojanoff & Achtaroff 1935; Stojanoff 1966; Greuter et al. 1984; Petrova 1992a; Tutin & Walters 1993; Walter & Gillet, 1998.
Authors: Cvetomir M. Denchev, Boris Assyov
