Ephedra fragilis
Ephedra fragilis Desf. subsp. campylopoda (C.A. Mey.) Asch. & Graebn.
Ephedra campylopoda C.A. Mey.1, 2, 3
Ephedraceae – Joint-fir family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(iii)+C2a(i,ii); D]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Dioecious shrub. Stems with numerous branches, climbing or decumbent, striate, up to 5 m long, greyish green. Leaves reduced, scale-like, opposite. Male cones ovate, sessile, anthers 5–6. Female cones with downwardly curved pedicel, 2 ovules and few scales. Seeds with succulent red aril. Entomophilous plant. Reproduction by seeds. Fl. IV–V, fr. VI–VII.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in rocky places and vertical rocks with southern or south-western exposure. The population has a low number of individuals with less than 10 plants recorded so far.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Valley of River Struma (southern – Skalata locality near Damyanitsa village, Pchelina hill at General Todorov railway station, Petrich district); up to 300 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula, Asia Minor.
Threats. Limited distribution, specific biology of the species, critically low number of individuals in the population and low reproductive potential, destruction and pollution of the habitats, stock breeding and grazing. Due to its small size the population is extremely vulnerable and even random events, e.g. landslips, might cause its extinction.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. The localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria. A proposal for designation of the locality near Levunovo village as a protected area has been submitted. An Action plan for conservation of the species is in a process of elaboration.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the population. Artificial propagation.
References. Velchev & Bondev 1961; Stojanov 1963; Vassilev 1984; Tutin et al. 1993; Petrova et al. 2007a.
Authors: Boris Assyov, Cvetomir M. Denchev
