Goniolimon besserianum
Goniolimon besserianum (Rchb.) Kusn.
Plumbaginaceae – Leadwort family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iii,iv)+2ab(ii,iii); C1]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous perennial. Stem 10–30 cm, at base with remnants from the old leaves. Leaves in a rosette, oblanceolate, entire, ciliate at margin, long-petiolate. Inflorescence pyramidal, branches narrowly winged. Flowers 1–2 in spikelets, which are grouped in spikes; bracts coriaceous, 3-fid. Corolla with a short tube, pale violet, after anthesis hidden in the calyx. Fruit a 1-seeded capsule. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–VIII. Insect pollinated. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in dry stony and sandy places, usually on siliceous bedrock. Populations are small, fragmented; fragments comprise scattered individuals. Most abundant are the occurrences in the Black Sea coast floristic region.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea coast (northern), NE Bulgaria; up to 200 m alt.
General distribution. SE Europe (Bulgaria, Romania) extending to Odessa and Herson eastwards.
Threats. The infrastructure development, enlargement of resorts and land-slides in the coastal area cause habitat changes and reduction of the species’ area of occupancy. Some damage is caused by picking plants for ornamental purposes.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Some occurrences are within protected territories (Kaliakra Reserve, Bezhanovo and Yaylata Protected Sites) and sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Population monitoring aimed at the optimization of their protecting regime; research for the elaboration of technologies for ex situ cultivation of the species, including for ornamental purposes.
References. Pignatti 1972; Ančev 1982, 1984; Petrova et al. 2002.
Authors: Valentina Goranova & Mincho Anchev
