Limonium bulgaricum
Limonium bulgaricum Ančev
Plumbaginaceae – Leadwort family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(ii,iii,iv)+2ab(ii,iii)]. BDA. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous perennial. Flowering stems 35–50 cm. Leaves basal, 5–16 cm long, spathulate, entire, narrowed into a long winged petiole. Inflorescence paniculate; spikelets 1(2)-flowered, grouped in spikes. Calyx 5-lobed, membranous. Corolla violet. Fruit is a capsule, 1-seeded. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–VIII. Insect pollinated. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in damp grasslands in the xerothermic oak forests belt. Forms small, fragmented populations.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Danubian Plain (valleys of Studena River and its tributaries in the region between Svishtov, Pavlikeni and Byala towns); between 200 and 250 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. The intensive agricultural activities, stock-farming and associated with this trampling and grazing have negative impacts on the habitat and population. Collection of plants for ornamental purposes causes reduction of population size in some localities.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Some localities are situated in Kaykusha and Russalka Protected Sites (Svishtov district) and in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria. An Action plan for conservation of the species is in a process of elaboration.
Conservation measures needed. Designating the most threatened localities as protected territories; research for development of technologies for ex situ cultivation of the species for ornamental purposes.
References. Ančev 1982, 1992b; Tzonev 2005; Anchev 2006.
Authors: Mincho Anchev & Valentina Goranova
