Linum elegans
Linum elegans Spruner ex Boiss.
Linaceae – Flax family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iv)+2ab(ii,iii,iv)]. IUCN(R). BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herbaceous plant. Flowering stems 10–20 cm high, erect, glabrous, with a basal leaf rosette. Cauline leaves alternate, linear to spathulate, glabrous, with 2 stipulate glands at base. Inflorescence terminal, with 2–15 flowers. Petals 5, obovate, light yellow, 15–20 mm long, twice as long as the sepals. Capsule globose, 4–5 mm. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–VIII. Reproduction by vegetative means and seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows on shallow soil in dry, grassy places and in open meadows in coniferous forests. Populations are with low numbers of individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mt, Valley of Mesta River, Pirin Mts; 500–2000 m alt. The species was reported also for Rhodopi Mts (central) but this occurrence needs confirmation.
General distribution. SW Balkan Peninsula (Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, R Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia).
Threats. Habitat fragmentation as a result from afforestation of the calcareous slopes with Pinus nigra; grazing and trampling by domestic animals near urban areas; restricted distribution.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the national Biodiversity Act. Included in 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants with a category “rare”. Part of the localities are within the borders of Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve in Slavyanka Mt and in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Expansion of the borders of Orelyak Strict Nature Reserve in Pirin Mts so as to encompass the localities on the slopes of Orelyak peak; restriction of afforestation and grazing activities; study of the area and numbers of individuals per population, biology and ecology of the species and threats; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Petrova 1979, 1984; Walter & Gillet 1998; Petrova & Vladimirov 2010.
Author: Stoyan Stoyanov
