Inula spiraeifolia
Inula spiraeifolia L.
Asteraceae – Daisy family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(ii,iii)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herb. Stem erect, 30–80 cm high, pubescent below, glabrous above. Leaves up to 5–8 × 1.2–2 cm, ovate to lanceolate, serrulate or denticulate on margin, with prominent reticulate venation above, sparsely hairy at least on the margin and veins beneath, the upper sessile, cuneate or slightly rounded at base. Capitula several to many, up to 3 cm in diameter. Involucre 10–12 mm broad, hemispherical; bracts glabrous, the outer ovate-spatulate with recurved apex, the inner linear, not recurved. Achenes 1.5–2 mm, glabrous. Fl. VI–IX, fr. IX–X. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Grows in damp grassy and stony places, meadows and open forests. No recent data for the Bulgarian populations.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea coast (northern – Varna region), Forebalkan (eastern – Lovech, Hlevene village), valley of Struma River (southern – Levunovo village); up to 400 m alt. All localities need confirmation.
General distribution. S Europe (from France to Bulgaria).
Threats. Habitat deterioration or loss in the regions around Varna, Devin and Lovech towns due to construction works and household pollution.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species under the national Biodiversity Act.
Conservation measures needed. Studies on the population size and density, species’ biology and ecology and impact of the particular threats; population monitoring and deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Ball & Tutin 1976; Ganchev 1984.
Author: Vladimir Vladimirov
