Galium aegeum
Galium aegeum (Stoj. & Kitan.) Ančev
Rubiaceae – Bedstraw family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii)]. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous, laxly caespitose, rhizomatous perennial, with densely leafy sterile shoots at base. Flowering stems 8–20(30) cm. Leaves in whorls, 3.5–8 mm long, linear, falcate, apiculate. Inflorescence a narrow panicle; flowers in small, nearly umbellate groups. Corolla yellowish white. Fruits dry, of 2 black, reniform mericarps. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollinated. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Grows in dry, sunny, stony and rocky places on limestone, in the coniferous forests and subalpine belts. Forms small, usually fragmented populations. Takes part in hasmophytic communities together with Onobrichis pindicola, Micromeria cristata, Viola delphinantha, Centaurea parilica, etc.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mt (above Nova Lovcha village; Ambar-Dere and Golyam Koynarnik localities), Pirin Mts (southern – slopes of Sveshtnik peak and above Parilska saddle); from 1000 to 2000 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, Greece).
Threats. Human activities (grazing, trampling, wood cutting) cause habitat changes and decrease in the area of occupancy of the population. Forest fires are potential threat.
Conservation measures taken. The occurrences in Slavyanka Mt are situated in Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve. All localities lie within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Population monitoring, research into the reproductive biology of the species and elaboration of technologies for ex situ cultivation; deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Ančev 1989.
Authors: Valentina Goranova & Mincho Anchev
