Hymenolobus procumbens
Hymenolobus procumbens (L.) Nutt.
Hornungia procumbens (L.) Hayek1, 3
Brassicaceae − Cabbage family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(ii, iii)+2ab(ii,iii)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous annual. Stem (2)5−25 cm, procumbent or erect. Lower leaves deeply lyrate-pinnatifid; upper entire, with sparse simple hairs. Inflorescence racemose. Petals 1−3 mm long, white, almost equal or slightly exceeding the calyx. Fruit an elliptical to obovate or orbicular silicula. Seeds very small, 3−10 in each loculus. Fl. IV−V, fr. V−VI. Self-pollinated. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in sandy and stony places on saline soil. Forms relatively small populations.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea coast (southern – south of Pomorie town).
General distribution. C, E and SE Europe.
Threats. The active infrastructure development and resort enlargement in the Black Sea coastal regions as well as salt extraction have negative impact on habitats and threaten the species with extinction.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. The population is within Pomoriysko Ezero Protected Site and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Restriction of building and other economic activities in the species localities; population monitoring aimed at optimizing species protection regime.
Note. Until recently the species has been considered extinct from the Bulgarian flora. In 2005 it was re-discovered in the region of Pomorie town.
References. Vălev 1970; Ančev 1984, 2007; Jalas et al. 1996.
Authors: Valentina Goranova & Mincho Anchev
