Kobresia myosuroides
Kobresia myosuroides (Vill.) Fiori
Elyna bellardii (All.) W.D.J. Koch1, 3
Cyperaceae –Sedge family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN D].
Morphology and biology. Densely caespitose, herbaceous perennial. Stems 5–25 cm high, very slender, with shining basal sheaths. Leaves very narrow, canaliculate, equalling or longer than the stems. Spike compound, with 1 terminal male spikelet and several lateral spikelets with male and female flowers. Nut trigonal, brown, shining, closed in an utricle, which is covered with a brown glume. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VIII–IX. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in open, rocky and stony places and screes in the high mountain belt, more rarely in open places among dwarf pine shrubs. Soils are shallow, rocky, on marble bedrock. Populations are with small number of individuals (6–60) and restricted in area (30–40 m2).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Pirin Mts (Vihren peak, Kazanite and Bayuvi Dupki localities), Rila Mts (Mramoretski cirque); at 2300–2700 m alt.
General distribution. Europe, Arctic region, Ural Mts, Caucasus, C Asia, Far East, Japan, Sinai, N America.
Threats. Low seed production due to the short vegetation season and low germination rate on the rocky substrate; restricted and fragmented distribution; low population numbers and small areas of distribution; plant damage and falling of unripe seeds by tourists.
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. Populations are within the borders of Pirin and Rila National Parks and in sites of the European Ecological Network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Tourist paths to avoid the species’ localities; monitoring of the state of the species populations and habitats.
References. Penev 1964; Markova 1984; Andreev 1988; Stoeva & Popova 1989; Roussakova 1995.
Author: Milka Stoeva
