Hypericum calycinum
Hypericum calycinum L.
Clusiaceae – St John’s Wort family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,ii)+2ab(i,ii); C2a(ii)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Small evergreen shrub with creeping rhizomes. Stems 20–60 cm, erect, unbranched, 4-lined, greenish to reddish brown. Leaves subsessile, narrowly ovate to oblong-elliptic, 3–10 cm long, coriaceous, persistent (lowermost deciduous). Inflorescences terminal, 1(3)-flowered. Flowers 50–95 mm in diameter, erect. Sepals entire, unequal, patent in fruit. Petals bright yellow, obovate, asymmetrical, entire or shallowly lobed, eglandular. Stamens numerous, in 5 fascicles; anthers reddish, consequently becoming yellow. Styles 5, longer than ovary. Capsule ovate to ovate-conical, initially green, becoming brown and deflexed when ripe. Fl. VI–VIII, fr. VIII–X. Insect and self-pollinated. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means (highly effective).
Habitats and populations. Grows in shady valleys, open forests and on river banks, on well drained soils with various acidity. Populations consist of groups of plants most often the result of vegetative propagation.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Strandzha Mts; up to 100 m alt.
General distribution. SE Europe, SW Asia.
Threats. Wood cutting; afforestation with exotic species; fires; change in the land use regimes of non-agricultural land; collecting for ornamental purposes.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Most localities are within Strandzha Nature Park including in Silkosiya and Uzunbudzhak Strict Nature Reserves and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Habitats protection and maintenance.
References. Jordanov & Kožuharov 1970; Stanev 1984; Robson 1985.
Author: Valeri Georgiev
