Leontopodium alpinum
Leontopodium alpinum Cass.
Asteraceae – Daisy family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herbaceous plant. Stems (1)5–20(30) cm high, erect, simple. Leaves alternate, entire, spathulate, 1.5–4 cm long, densely white lanate; the upper subtending the capitula and equal in length. Capitula subglobose. Involucre 4–6 mm; outer involucral bracts lanceolate, lanate, acute, margin brownish at apex. Florets yellowish white. Achenes 0.5 mm long. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX.
Habitats and populations. In crevices of not easily accessible rocks and stony meadows in the coniferous, subalpine and alpine belts. Populations consist of single individuals or small groups, with low reproductive and migration potential. The population in the Balkan Range (Kozya Stena) consists of good numbers of individuals and is in a good state.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (central – Korudere, Zli Vrah, Kozya Stena, Triglav and Mazalat), Pirin Mts (northern – Vihren, Bayuvi Dupki, Kazana, Kamenititsa peaks); from 1400 up to 2700 m alt.
General distribution. Mountains of Europe from the Carpathians to Pyrenees, Alps, C Apennines and Bulgaria.
Threats. Adaptation to specific habitat conditions; low numerical strength of most populations; fragmentation of the distribution area; low reproductive potential; destruction of individuals for commercial purposes and by tourists.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Populations are within the borders of Central Balkan and Pirin National Parks and within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the population state; when necessary facilitation of the in situ reproduction.
References. Tutin 1976; Bozhilova & Tonkov 1984.
Author: Svetlana Bancheva
