Gentianella crispata
Gentianella crispata (Vis.) Holub
Gentianaceae – Gentian family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(ii,iii,v)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Biennial herb, 2–10(15) cm. Stems erect, single, usually branched, at base with brown remains of leaves from the previous year. Basal leaves in a rosette, obovate to spathulate; cauline leaves lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, crispate on margins. Flowers 5-merous, numerous, terminal and axillary. Calyx campanulate; calyx-lobes patent at apex, with black, callous and crispate margin. Corolla 12–20 mm, violet, blue, yellowish to white; patent lobes shorter than corolla-tube, lanceolate-elliptical, acuminate. Fruit a capsule. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–VIII. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Stony mountain, often wet meadows in the coniferous belt, on limestone. Very fragmented populations. Plants grow in small groups and solitary.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mt; 1500–2000 m alt.
General distribution. Central part of the Balkan Peninsula, S Italy.
Threats. Limited distribution of the species; low density of the populations; tourism; grazing; trampling; fires.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Species localities are within the borders of Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve in Slavyanka Mt 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.
Author: Daniella Ivanova
