Helichrysum plicatum
Helichrysum plicatum DC.
Asteraceae – Daisy family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iii,iv)+2ab(ii,iv)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial. Stems erect or ascending from the branched woody stock with numerous rosettes, bulb-like thickening at base. Stems (10)20–30(45) cm, branched only above, reddish brown, glandular-puberulent. Basal leaves linear to linear-lanceolate, glandular; cauline leaves semi-amplexicaul, decreasing in size above, linear-lanceolate to linear. Capitula almost spherical or subspherical, with many flowers, 25–40 in a terminal compound corymb. Bracts in 4–6 rows, bright lemon or golden yellow, patent at fruiting. Flowers hermaphroditic, yellow. Achenes cylindrical, dark brown, pappus consisting of pale yellow, finely serrate hairs. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–IX. Reproduction by seeds and rhizome shoots.
Habitats and populations. Grows in sandy, stony grasslands in the mountains. Populations are relatively small, and fragmented with single plants or individuals in small groups, due to the formation of rhizome shoots when the habitats are subject to afforestation.
Distribution in Bulgaria. West Frontier Mts (Osogovo Mts: Dolno Rakovo, Gorno Rakovo, Dolno Selo, Tsarven Dol villages); from 1200 up to 1700 m alt.
General distribution. S Europe (Balkan Peninsula –Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, R Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia), Caucasus, Asia Minor, Iran and Iraq.
Threats. Small and isolated populations, low reproductive potential, afforestation, collection as medicinal plant.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. The localities are within a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the populations, raising awareness of local people, restoration of populations affected by afforestation activities.
References. Gussev 1997
Author: Chavdar Gussev
