Goniolimon dalmaticum
Goniolimon dalmaticum (C. Presl) Rchb. f.
Plumbaginaceae − Leadwort family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous perennial. Flowering stems 10−20 cm, with brown remains of leaves at base. Leaves basal, oblanceolate to spathulate. Inflorescence corymbose to broadly pyramidal, branches winged; spikelets of 1−3 flowers, forming long spikes. Calyx with a narrow tube, membranous, white, 5-lobed, pubescent at base. Corolla reddish purple, after anthesis nearly hidden in the calyx. Fruit a capsule, 1-seeded. Fl. VI−VII, fr. VII−VIII. Insect pollinated. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in dry limestone stony and rocky places, on shallow, eroded humus-carbonate soil, mainly in the beech forests belt. Population is strongly fragmented and very small.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mt; between 1000 and 1500 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, R Macedonia, Croatia, Montenegro, European Turkey).
Threats. Potential threats are forest fires, erosion processes, grazing and trampling, which may cause habitat changes and reduction of population area of occupancy.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. The localities are situated in Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Population monitoring aimed at the optimization of their protection regime; deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria; research for elaboration of technologies for ex situ propagation and cultivation of the species for conservation and ornamental purposes.
References. Pignatti 1972; Ančev 1982, 1984.
Authors: Valentina Goranova & Mincho Anchev
