Frankenia pulverulenta
Frankenia pulverulenta L.
Frankeniaceae – Sea-heath family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR A1c; B2ab(i)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Annual; stems up to 30 cm, procumbent, often mat-forming, rarely erect, sparsely or densely puberulent. Leaves 1–5(8) × 0.5–4 mm, obovate to oblong-spathulate, usually flat, glabrous or sparsely puberulent above, densely puberulent beneath, without a white crust. Flowers crowded, secund, in short terminal and axillary spikes. Calyx 2.5–4 mm. Petals 3.5–5 mm, oblong to obovate, pale or deep violet. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Maritime sands and shingle along the Black Sea Coast. Population strongly fragmented, consisting of single, dispersed individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea coast (Southern – between Sozopol and Chengene Skele locality, Burgas region; on the sand strip between the sea and Pomorie lake; north of Pomorie Salt evaporation ponds by the road to Aheloi village).
General distribution. Europe, Mediterranean region (excl. Turkey), SW Asia, Siberia.
Threats. Tourism development at the Black Sea coast and natural drivers as a result of the restricted distribution of the species.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. The localities of the species are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. It is necessary to protect the species and its habitat, which is vulnerable. Detailed study of the species chorology, density and size of its populations, its biology and ecology. Long-term monitoring of the species and its habitats. Deposition of seeds in the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria. If necessary a protected area can be proclaimed to protect the species localities.
References. Jordanov & Peev 1979; Roussakova 1984.
Author: Dessislava Dimitrova
