Elatine alsinastrum
Elatine alsinastrum L.
Elatinaceae – Waterwort family
Conservation status. Crittically Endangered [CR A1c; B2ab(i)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Aquatic annual or perennial. Stems 2–80 cm long. Leaves whorled, heterophyllous; in aquatic state linear, up to 18 in a whorl; in terrestrial state lanceolate to ovate, as few as 3 in a whorl. Flowers sessile. Sepals 4, ovate, acute; petals 4, ovate, longer than sepals; stamens 8; carpels 4. Capsule depressed above. Seeds almost straight. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–VIII. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Mosaic subpopulations consisting of small number of individuals, distant from one another. Grows in swamps, mires and wet places around them.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Northeast Bulgaria (General Kolevo village), Danubian Plain, Balkan Range (Central – Velkovtsi village, Gaborovo district), Sofia region (mires near Sofia and Elin Pelin town), Znepole region (Dragoman swamp), Thracian Lowland (Mezek and Manole villages); from 0 up to 500 m alt.
General distribution. Europe, C and SE Asia.
Threats. Draining of swamps and wet areas; water pollution.
Conservation measures taken. According to the Biological Diversity Act the species is protected and for preservation of its habitats establishment of protected areas in accordance with the regulations of the Protected Areas Act is required. Some localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. It is necessary to protect the species and its habitats which are also vulnerable. Elaboration of an action plan and detailed study of the chorology, biology and ecology of the species, numerical strength and area of its subpopulations; long-term monitoring of the species and its habitats; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria. If proven necessary, proclamation of a protected area for the conservation of the species.
References. Cook 1968; Jordanov & Peev 1979; Peev 1984; Tzonev et al. 2010.
Author: Dessislava Dimitrova
