Lilium rhodopeum
Lilium rhodopeum Delip.
Liliaceae – Lily family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR 2ab(ii,iii)]. IUCN(R), BDA, BC. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial bulbous herb. Bulb large, ovate, with whitish fleshy scales. Stems 35–130 cm, densely leafy almost to the top. Leaves alternate, oblong- to linear-lanceolate, ciliate on veins beneath and at margins. Flowers 1–3(5), terminal, infundibuliform, 8–14 cm in diameter, bright lemon-yellow, perianth-segments recurved outwards. Anthers orange-red. Fruit a 3-angled capsule. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–VIII. Pollination by insects. Reproduction mainly by vegetative means, but also sexually by seeds.
Habitats and populations. In grassy places, moderately wet mountain meadows, rocky slopes and stony glades, in the beech and coniferous belts. Populations very fragmented, mostly with low number of individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (Central – Sivino, Progled and Stoykite villages, Gerzovitsa locality near Smolyan town, Kechikaya locality (Kozi Kamuk) near Roudozem town, Tsigansko Gradishte peak; Eastern – Veykata peak); 1100–1650 m alt. The populations at Manastir village and Rozhen locality have not been confirmed since 1969.
General distribution. Bulgaria and Greece (locally in the Rhodopes).
Threats. Limited distribution of the species; low density of the individuals; hay-making of the meadows before ripening and dispersion of seeds; grazing; agriculture; collecting of cut flowers or extirpation for cultivation; trampling; archaeological excavations; infrastructure development (construction of ski tracks and cable cars, hotels, roads, etc.); eco-path building followed by an increased flow of tourists.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. The localities in the region of Veykata peak are in the Gyumyurdzhinski Snezhnik Protected Site. The population in Gerzovitsa locality lies within Soskovcheto Strict Nature Reserve. Livadite locality near Sivino village is declared Protected Site. Some of the species localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Research on species biology and ecology, threats. Proclamation of protected areas to protect the localities at Progled village, Stoykite village, near Roudozem town and Tsigansko Gradishte peak. Regulation of meadow-use regime. Population monitoring. Preserving of seed material in the National Seed Genebank of Bulgaria.
References. Delipavlov 1952; Popova 1984; Petrova 2004b.
Author: Daniella Ivanova
