Erysimum slavjankae
Erysimum slavjankae Ančev & Polatschek
Brassicaceae − Cabbage family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(ii); C2a(i)]. BDA. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous caespitose to mat-forming perennial. Stems branched at base, densely leafy, 5−20 cm. Leaves linear-oblanceolate, entire, somewhat fleshy, covered with bifid hairs. Inflorescence racemose, short. Flowers relatively large, fragrant; petals deep yellow, spathulate. Stamens with nectaries at base. Fruit 55−70 mm long siliqua, with small seeds. Fl. VI−VII(VIII), fr. VIII−X. Insect pollinated. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in rocky and stony places on open mountain slopes, usually on poorly developed humus-carbonate soil. Takes part in communities dominated by Juniperus communis subsp. alpina and Chamaecytisus absinthioides together with Paronychia kapela, Iberis saxatilis, Campanula orphanidea, Centaurea parilica, etc. Populations are fragmented, small, comprising scattered individuals and small groups of plants.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mt (Golyam Koynarnik locality, Golyam Tsarev peak, Gotsev peak, Shabran peak), Pirin Mts (Orelyak and Baba peaks); between 1800 and 2200 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria. The species may extend southwards to N Greece.
Threats. Habitat changes and reduction of the population size and area of occupancy are caused by floods, land-slides, erosion processes, fires and to a lesser extent by human impact (grazing, road construction).
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Some occurrences are within Alibotush and Orelyak Strict Nature Reserves. The localities are situated in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Research into the population reproductive means and potential; deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria; research for ex situ cultivation of the species.
References. Anchev & Polatschek 1998; Ančev 2001, 2007; Petrova & Velchev 2006.
Authors: Mincho Anchev & Valentina Goranova
