Dracocephalum thymiflorum
Dracocephalum thymiflorum L.
Lamiaceae – Mint family
Conservation status. Regionally extinct [RE].
Morphology and biology. Annual. Stem 20–40 cm, simple, pubescent. Basal and middle cauline leaves ovate-lanceolate, cordate at base, dentate, with long petioles; upper ovate, cuneate at base, petioles shorter. Verticillasters with 6–12 flowers, in a terminal raceme. Bracts elliptical, acute. Calyx tubular-campanulate, with 2 lips. Corolla 7–10 mm long, with 2 lips, violet. Stamens 4, under the upper lip. Nutlets dark brown, ovoid. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–IX. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in ruderal places, scrub near urban areas, on shallow soil.
Distribution in Bulgaria. There are literature data for the species occurrence in the region of Dobrich (Velenovský 1901) at 200 m alt. It was again reported by Popova (1984, 1989) for the same region but no herbarium specimen was collected. Herbarium specimens are available from the gardens in Tran (SOM 61355) and Varna (SOM 61356). Most likely the species is extinct from the Bulgarian flora.
General distribution. SE Europe, Siberia, Caucasus, Iran; naturalized in C Europe.
Threats. Grazing, intensive agriculture, infrastructure development.
Conservation measures taken. None.
Conservation measures needed. If the species is rediscovered, to proclaim a protected area for its conservation.
References. Hayek 1931; Popova 1984, 1989.
Author: Elena Genova
