Elatine triandra
Elatine triandra Schkuhr
Elatinaceae – Waterwort family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR A1c; B2ab(i)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Annual aquatic plant; stems 1–18 cm. Leaves opposite. Flowers sessile. Sepals (2)3(4), obtuse, widest at base. Petals 3, opposite to sepals, white or red, longer than sepals, sometimes absent in submerged plants. Capsule remaining in leaf-axils at maturity. Seeds slightly curved. Fl. VI–VIII, fr. VII–IX. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Subpopulations consist of few scattered individuals, floating or fixed to the bottom of the water bodies. Growing in swamps and slow running rivers.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Thracian Lowland (Pazardzhik and Plovdiv regions); from 160 up to 500 m alt.
General distribution. Europe, C and SW Asia, C and N America.
Threats. Draining of swamps and wet areas; water pollution.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act.
Conservation measures needed. Protection of the species and its habitat that is also vulnerable is required. Elaboration of an action plan for the species and its habitat; 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.
Author: Dessislava Dimitrova
