Juncus triglumis
Juncus triglumis L.
Juncaceae – Rush family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)]. BDA. Glacial relic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial caespitose herb. Stems 5–20 cm high, erect, rounded, leafy at lower half, leaf sheaths reddish brown, darker below the inflorescence. Leaves 1–10 cm long, tubular, auricular at base. Flowers 2–5 in a horizontal row, in terminal 5–8 cm in diameter head; bracts membranous, shorter or equal to the flowers. Perianth segments 3–4 mm long, elliptical to ovate-lanceolate, equal or subequal, yellowish white, dark at apex. Fruit 5–6 mm long, trigonous-ellipsoid capsule, mucronate. Seeds with membranous appendages. Fl. VII, fr. VIII. Wind pollination. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. High mountain bogs and humid meadows. The species is known from one locality on humid peat-bogs with limited area. The population is with mosaic structure and scattered individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rila Mts (above Kostenets town, along the Ibar river, around Raduil village, Samokov district); 500–1000 m alt.
General distribution. N Europe, extending southwards to the mountains of the Pyrenees, C Apennines, SW Bulgaria.
Threats. Habitat change; small populations with low density of individuals; low regeneration capacity.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. The localities are included in the Rila National Park.
Conservation measures needed. Studies on the population number and area occupied, biology and ecology of the species and the reasons for the low regeneration capacity; deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Georgiev & Kozhuharov 1964; Snogerup 1980; Kochev 1984.
Authors: Ana Petrova
