Digitalis laevigata
Digitalis laevigata Waldst. & Kit.
Scrophulariaceae – Figwort family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN A2bc; B2ab(ii); C2b]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herbaceous plant. Stems up to 100 cm high, erect, glabrous, simple. Leaves glabrous, entire, with a midrib and 4–6 curved parallel veins. Inflorescence 15–25 cm, lax raceme with glabrous rachis. Corolla 2–3.5 cm long, yellow with reddish brown veins, corolla tube narrowed at base, swollen in the middle with small upper and larger arched lower part. Capsule 9–11 mm long, rounded, yellow with conical apex. Fl. V–VI, fr. VII–VIII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in grassy and stony places, in scrub and rare forests of Carpinus orientalis, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Abies alba, Castanea sativa forests. Populations are with small number of individuals. Due to the fact that the habitat of the species is very specific, the distribution of the taxon is very strongly fragmented.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Danubian Plain, Forebalkan, Balkan Range (western), Znepole region, Belasitsa Mt, Pirin Mts; from 200 up to 1500 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, R Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia).
Threats. Habitats change driven by human activities: grazing, fires, wood extraction, tourism.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Some localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the numerical strength and distribution area of the populations; study of the biology and ecology of the species and potential for cultivation; inclusion of some localities within protected areas; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Velenovský 1891; Jordanov 1966; Vassilev 1984; Assenov 1995.
Author: Elena Genova
