Liparis loeselii
Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich.
Orchidaceae – Orchid family
Conservation status. Regionally extinct [RE]. BDA, HD(IIb), BC, CITES(2).
Morphology and biology. Perennial plant with short rhizome. At the base of the current year’s stems a small pseudobulb is formed, which is connected to the parent pseudobulb by a horizontal stolon. Leaves broadly lanceolate, green, 2–11 × 0.7–2 cm. Inflorescences 3–10 cm high, with 3–15 flowers, sparse. Flowers yellow green, sepals 4.5–5.5 × 1.4–1.8 mm, petals smaller. Labellum oblong, recurved, pointed upwards. Fl. VI, fr. VII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Fens, bogs, on swampy places with neutral on slightly alkaline soils. It used to grow in a community of Osmunda regalis L. at Kodzha Orman locality, near Eleshnitsa village, Petrich area, where only 1 individual was found. At Elaka locality near Gabarevo village it used to grow on a wet meadow in a community of Schoenus nigricans, Carex lepidocarpa, Eriophorum latifolium, Juncus inflexus, J. effusus, etc. In two consecutive years (1994, 1995) single plants were established. Afterwards the individuals disappeared, most likely due to closing of the vegetation cover.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Sofia region (established once, in the 19th century, without data about the exact locality), Valley of Struma River (Southern – Kodzha Orman locality at Belasitsa Mt foothills), Tundzha Hilly Country (Gabarevo village, Stara Zagora district); up to 1000 m alt.
General distribution. Circumboreal. Rare in the temperate and sub-Mediterranean zone of Europe.
Threats. Limited distribution and small number of individuals in the populations. The locality in Kodzha Orman locality was destroyed because of comassation of agricultural lands in the area and construction of the ameliorative channels.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species by the Biodiversity Act.
Conservation measures needed. Declaring the Elaka locality near Gabarevo a protected site. Search in all suitable habitats in the meadow complexes and the alluvial forests in the upper Tundzha River Valley for 2–3 consecutive years. Liparis loeselii is a pioneer species, therefore, clearing and thinning of the vegetation, and removal of the dry biomass in the forest glade, where it was found in 1994–1995, can result in a growth of new plants, if there are some remaining underground parts.
References. Stojanov & Achtarov 1951; Stojanov et al. 1966; Stanev 1984; Delforge 2006; Trifonov 2009.
Author: Antoaneta Petrova
