Imperata cylindrica
Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch.
Poaceae – Grass family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN A4c; B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)].
Morphology and biology. Rhizomatous perennial. Stems about 1 m high. Leaves 6–8 mm wide, flat, towards the apex convolute; cauline leaves much shorter than basal ones. Panicle 8–15 cm, cylindrical, dense, covered by silky white hairs, silver-white in appearance. Fl. IV–VI, fr. VII–VIII. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Grows in sandy, grassy habitats on the seashore or by rivers. Forms fragmented populations, without recent data on their sizes. Relevant data are available only about the subpopulation on the sands by Lipite Bay where the area occupied by the species has increased to some 1400 m2 during the past 15 years and currently several hundred generative stems are to be found there. The plants occupy the stabilized sands on the beach.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea coast (southern – Pomorie, Sozopol, Lipite bay), valley of Struma River (southern), Strandzha Mts (Fazanovo).
General distribution. Mediterranean Area, Balkan Peninsula, Asia Minor, Iran, the Caucasus, C Asia, India.
Threats. Population size decrease in the coastal areas is suspected in the near future due to the intensive building activities and rapid tourism development. The latter factors have already caused severe habitat deterioration. Cars driving on the sands causes mechanical destruction of the plants. Urbanization tendencies in the Valley of Struma River pose similar threats.
Conservation measures taken. For protection of the habitats of the species the Biological Diversity Act requires establishment of protected areas in accordance with the regulations of the Protected Areas Act. Some localities are included in Silistar Protected Site and in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Precise estimation of the sizes of the populations in the country and population monitoring.
References. Georgiev 1963.
Author: Iva Apostolova
