Echium russicum
Echium russicum J.F. Gmel.
Borraginaceae – Borage family
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU B2ab(iii)]. BDA, HD.
Morphology and biology. Biennial. Stems usually single, erect, 20–80 cm, with dense alternate leaves, hispid. Leaves linear–lanceolate, 2–11 × 0.7-1.2 cm, with soft appressed hairs. Inflorescence up to ½ of the stem, narrow, spike-like, with dense curved semi-umbels. Corolla 8–12 mm long, ± infundibuliform, dark red. Stamens and style longer than the corolla; stigma entire or slightly bifid. Fruit nutlet. Fl. V–VI, fr. VI–VII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Dry grasslands in lowlands and low mountain slopes, on extensively used pastures, often in scrublands. Found locally, populations are usually small with dispersed individuals, sometimes to 100–250 plants (e.g. in Lozenska Mt).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Locally in most of the floristic regions in the country; up to 1200 m alt. No data for Belasitsa Mt, Slavyanka Mt, Pirin Mts, Rila Mts and Eastern Rhodopi Mts.
General distribution. C and SE Europe, Caucasus, SW Asia.
Threats. Afforestation with pines in the species’ localities, enlargement of settlements (especially summer houses areas), overgrazing in pastures; abandonment of the pastures and consequent over-growing with shrubs in some places.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species by the Biodiversity Act. Some localities are in protected areas (e.g. Mogilata Protected Site in Shumen district) or in sites in the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Studies into the distribution, population status, biology and ecology of the species; declaring some localities as protected areas; inclusion of some of the best populations in Important Plant Areas; preservation of seeds in the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Andreev & Peev 1989.
Author: Antoaneta Petrova
