Eranthis bulgaricus
Eranthis bulgaricus Stef.
Ranunculaceae – Buttercup family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herb with tuberous rhizomes. Stem 7–13 cm, erect, glabrous, simple. Cauline leaves 3, up to 2 cm long, arranged in a whorl close to the solitary terminal flower, deeply divided palmate, the lobes linear. Flower yellow, with numerous stamens and 4–6 free carpels. Fruit consisting of 4–6 follicles with curved beaks. Fl. II(III), fr. III(IV). Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in deciduous forests and shrubs and also in grasslands by forest edges. Only one population recorded with a few thousand individuals in smaller or larger groups.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Forebalkan (western – Vrushka Chouka); at 550–690 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria, Serbia.
Threats. Increasing density of the forest and shrub vegetation, fires, competition by caespitose, perennial grasses; the limited distribution area of the species and small population size.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species under the national Biodiversity Act. The known locality is included in the Vrashka Chuka Protected Area.
Conservation measures needed. Investigations into the particular threats for the population, species biology and ecology, deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria; designation of Vrashka Chuka hill as a Natura 2000 area.
References. Stefanoff 1963; Panov 1970.
Author: Vladimir Vladimirov
