Geranium aristatum
Geranium aristatum Freyn & Sint.
Geraniaceae – Geranium family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ac(i,ii)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Rhizomatous perennial. Stems 25–70 cm high, erect, almost glabrous at the base, glandular hairy in the upper part. Basal leaves long-petiolate, in rosettes, 5–10 cm in diameter, glandular hairy; cauline leaves opposite, the lower long-, the upper short-petiolate. Inflorescence terminal, cymose, with many flowers; ultimate peduncles glandular, 2-flowered. Sepals 9–10 mm long, 3–4 mm wide, with 4–7 mm long glandular hairy arista, deflexed at anthesis and erect in fruit. Sepals 11–17 mm long, 5–8 mm wide, oblong elliptical, blue-lilac with darker veins, strongly deflexed. Mericarps with 2–4 transverse ridges in the upper part with ca. 30 mm long twisted beak. Seeds 4–4.5 mm long, brown. Fl. V–VII, fr. VI–VIII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by vegetative means and seeds.
Habitats and populations. Humid shady places in meadows, forest clearings.
Distribution in Bulgaria. West Frontier Mts (Vlahina Mt); 1300–1400 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (mountains of S Albania, W Bulgaria, NW Greece, R Macedonia).
Threats. Small populations with restricted area and limited distribution.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act.
Conservation measures needed. Collection and deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Webb & Ferguson 1968; Petrova 2006b.
Author: Ana Petrova
