Lathyrus linifolius
Lathyrus linifolius (Reichard) Bässler
L. montanus Bernh.1, 2, 3
Fabaceae – Pea family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)].
Morphology and biology. Perennial herbaceous plant with tuber-like rhizome. Stems erect, 15–50 cm high, with narrow wings. Leaves paripinnate, mucronate, with 1–4 pairs of lanceolate to elliptic leaflets, 20–60 mm long. Flowers clustered by 2–6 in lax racemes. Calyx with unequal teeth. Petals purple-red to blue. Fruit linear, reddish-brown legume. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–VIII. Reproduction by seeds and vegetatively.
Habitats and populations. Occurs rarely, in grassy places on limestone in the mountains up to the subalpine belt.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Central – Kozya stena and Uzana chalets, Mazalat peak, Orlovo Gnezdo, Malkia Harman and Konski Nos localities); from 1500 up to 2100 m alt.
General distribution. Europe.
Threats. Limited distribution, destruction and pollution of the localities due to tourism; climate change. Reproductive potential of the species is considerably low; flowering and seed production is low; seed germination potential is low.
Conservation measures taken. The population is situated in Central Balkan National Park, parts of it is in Kozya Stena and Sokolna Strict Nature Reserves and in site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Sustainable management and conservation of the habitat of the species and monitoring of the population. Supporting the in situ propagation and preservation of seeds in the National Seed Genebank of Bulgaria.
References. Delipavlov 1964; Kozhuharov 1976, 1984; Tosheva & Pavlova 2003.
Authors: Anita Tosheva, Boris Assyov & Cvetomir M. Denchev
