Gentianella amarella
Gentianella amarella (L.) Börner
Gentianaceae – Gentian family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(ii,iv,v)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Annual or biennial herb, 5–30(40) cm. Stems erect, single, branched from the base or in the upper part. Basal leaves obovate, in a rosette; cauline leaves ovate to linear-lanceolate, entire. Flowers (4)5-merous, numerous, on short stalks, terminal. Calyx cylindrical, with unequal, entire calyx-lobes. Corolla 12–14(20) mm, rose, purple, pale blue, blue to white; patent lobes shorter than corolla-tube, oblong-ovate, obtuse. Fruit a capsule. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–VIII. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grassy and stony places in the coniferous and subalpine belts. Very fragmented populations composed by small groups or solitary individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Central – between Oushite peak and Koucheto peak, Kozyata Stena, Demirkapiya, Ispolin peak, Shipka peak); above 1800 m alt.
General distribution. N, C, E and SE (the Balkan Peninsula) Europe.
Threats. Limited distribution of the species; low density of the populations; tourism; trampling; grazing; afforestation actions.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Some of the species localities lie within Central Balkan National Park, Kozya Stena Strict Nature Reserve and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Research on population number and range, species biology and ecology, threats. Population monitoring. Preservation of seed material in the National Seed Genebank of Bulgaria.
References. Kozhuharov & Petrova 1982; Petrova 1984; Gussev et al. 1999.
Author: Daniella Ivanova
