Juniperus sabina
Juniperus sabina L.
Cupressaceae – Juniper family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN D]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Shrub with reddish grey bark, procumbent branches and sharp, specific smell. Leaves of young shoots needle-like, those of the old shoots are scarious, with a prominent midrib below. Female cones (gelberries) nodding, globose, 5–7 mm in diameter, with (1)2–6 seeds.Fl. IV–V, fruiting in the spring of the second year. Reproduction very slow, mostly by vegetative means, more rarely by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows on open, steep calcareous, more rarely silicate rocks, cliffs and screes. Populations are mosaic, covering very small areas (3–40 m2) and comprising several to 30 individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Forebalkan (western), Balkan Range (central), Rila Mts, Rhodopi Mts (eastern – Gyumyurdzhinski Snezhnik locality); at 550–1300 m alt.
General distribution. S and C Europe, Crimea, Caucasus, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Asia Minor.
Threats. Restricted and fragmented distribution; small numbers and areas of populations; low reproductive potential: eradication by man for decorative reasons, rock gardens and fortification of grounds.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the national Biodiversity Act. Most of its localities are within the borders of Rila and Central Balkan National Parks, Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park. The species occurrences are in sites of the European Ecological Network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Strict enforcement of the Biodiversity Act and the management plans of the respective protected areas; monitoring of the state of the species populations and habitats.
References. Stojanov 1963; Velchev 1971; Marinov 1984; Gussev et al. 1999; Tashev 2008.
Author: Milka Stoeva
