Erysimum quadrangulum
Erysimum quadrangulum (L’Her.) Desf.
Syrenia cana auct. non Piller & Mitterp.1, 3
Brassicaceae – Cabbage family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii)+2ab(ii)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Biennial, grey green plant, densely covered with appressed medifixed hairs. Stems 25–80 cm high, usually branched. Leaves alternate, narrow-linear, entire. Flowers pale yellow, sepals 6–10, petals 12–22 mm. Fruit a 4-angled siliqua, 10–25 mm long. Fl. VI, fr. VII–VIII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds, which have no special adaptations for dispersal, and thus have a limited mobility.
Habitats and populations. Inland dunes in the area of the natural phenomenon Pobiti Kamani. The area of occurrence is less than 100 km2. The area of occupancy is less than 2 km2 and during the past 100 years it has significantly decreased, possibly by more than 50%. Recorded in 6 of the groups: Beloslav Zapad, Teterlika, Central group, Slanchevo Yugoiztok, Slanchevo Zapad and Banovska group, as well as in some sandy places inbetween.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea coast (northern – Pobiti Kamani, Varna district); up to 200 m alt.
General distribution. E Europe (Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine), Caucasus, W Siberia.
Threats. Limited distribution; the area of occupancy decreased significantly due to afforestation in the area during the past century; other unknown negative factors may also contribute.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species by the Biodiversity Act. Most of the localities are in Pobiti Kamani Protected Sites and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the populations and study into the threatening factors.
Note. Some observations suggest there is fluctuation in the number of individuals in the population. If this is confirmed, the threat category will be changed to ‘Critically Endangered’.
References. Andreev 1984; Petrova 1997; Anchev 2001; Filipova-Marinova & Petrova 2003.
Author: Antoaneta Petrova
