Edraianthus serbicus
Edraianthus serbicus Petrovič
Campanulaceae – Bellflower family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(ii,v); C2a(i)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herbs. Stems ascending to erect, 12–25 cm high, pubescent. Basal leaves 50–90 mm long, 20–40 mm wide, sessile, linear lanceolate, acute, cauline leaves smaller, similar to basal leaves, amplexicaul, pubescent. Bracts widely ovate, outer shorter or equal to the flowers. Flowers 6–12, funnel-shaped, 12–30 mm long, pink, or pinkish violet. Fl. V–VII, fr. VIII–IX. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Fissures in dry, limestone rocks, places with scanty soil and southern exposure. The distribution is very limited, only in Znepole floristic region. Due to its adaptation to a very specific habitat the population is fragmented, with small number of individuals, scattered in groups of 1–15 individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Znepole region (Golo Bardo, Paramun, Chepan, Konyavska planina, Ezdimirska Planina Mts); 800–1400 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria, Serbia.
Threats. Aridisation of climate, afforestation, trampling, grazing, low reproductive capacity and low vitality of the seeds and high mortality of young individuals.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Some of the localities occur in Ostritsa Managed Nature Reserve in Golo Bardo mountain. Nearly all localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the state of the populations, establishment of new protected areas.
References. Vassilev 1984; Apostolova & Ganeva 2000.
Authors: Dimitar Peev, Sonya Tsoneva
