Galium demisum
Galium demisum Boiss.
Rubiaceae – Bedstraw family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii)]. BDA. Balkan sub-endemic.
Morphology and biology. Laxly caespitose perennial. Stems 8 cm, densely leafy. Leaves in whorls of 4–6, oblanceolate, with short, cartilaginous apex, glabrous or pubescent. Inflorescence terminal, corymbose; flowers in groups of 3–7, with or without 1–2 bracts; corolla yellowish green, 4-lobed; lobes oblong-ovate, acute. Fruit of 2 globose-reniform mericarps. Fl. VIII–IX, fr. IX–X. Probably insect pollinated. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Grows in open, rocky and stony places, on humus-carbonate, eroded soil, usually on limestone, mainly in the high mountainous belt. Takes part in hasmophytic communities together with Festuca dalmatica, Androsace villosa, Potentilla apennina subsp. stojanovii, Galium anisophyllon, etc. Populations are small and fragmented.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mt (Ambardere locality, Gotsev peak), Pirin Mts (northern – on the slopes of Vihren peak, Golyam Kazan cirque, Razlozhki Suhodol, Sinanitsa peak); between (1500)2000–2700 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria, N Greece, Turkey (Ulu Dagh).
Threats. Negative habitat changes and decrease in population size are caused mainly by natural disasters (avalanches, land slides) but also by tourism and trampling. Forest fires are a potential threat.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. The localities are situated in Pirin National Park, Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve in Slavyanka Mt and in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of populations aimed at the optimization of their protection regime.
Note. Galium demissum is a Balkan-Anatolian species, represented in Bulgaria both with the nominal subspecies and with the local endemic G. demisum subsp. stojanovii (G. stojanovii Degen), distributed in Pirin Mts.
References. Ehrendorfer & Krendl 1976; Ančev 1984, 1989.
Authors: Mincho Anchev & Valentina Goranova
