Eleocharis carniolica
Eleocharis carniolica W.D.J. Koch
Heleocharis carniolica W.D.J. Koch1, 3
Cyperaceae –Sedge family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,ii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iv,v); C2a(i)]. BDA, HD, BC.
Morphology and biology. Caespitose herbaceous perennial. Stems 10–20(30) cm high, very slender, trigonous, leafless, with pale brown sheaths at base. Spike terminal, the lower glume covering its base. Flowers hermaphroditic, with scarious perianth and 2 stigmas. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–IX. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Grows in marshy places along the Black Sea coast, the Danube and Maritsa rivers, in the periphery of swamps and wet meadows, on alluvial soils covered with thin layer of water. Populations are with 20–100 individuals on an area of several square meters.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea coast (southern – in the vicinity of Tsarevo), NE Bulgaria, Danubian Plain (Belene and Vardim islands), Sofia region (Aldomirovsko Blato), Znepole region (Vasilovtsi village), Thracian Lowland; at 0–550 m alt.
General distribution. SE and C Europe, Italy.
Threats. Deterioration of habitats as a result of climate aridisation; draining of swamps and marshes; restricted and fragmented distribution; populations with small numbers and area of distribution; low reproductive potential.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. The species and its habitats are protected by the EU Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention (Annex 1). Some localities are within sites of the European Ecological Network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the state of the species populations and habitats. Strict reinforcing of the national Biodiversity Act.
References. Penev 1964; Markova 1984; Zukowski 1993.
Author: Milka Stoeva
