Lloydia serotina
Lloydia serotina (L.) Rchb.
Liliaceae – Lily family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iv)+2ab(ii,iv)]. BDA. Glacial relic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial bulbous plant. Stem 5–15 cm high, erect, glabrous. Leaves alternate, linear-filiform, 1–2 mm wide, glabrous. Flowers single, terminal. Perianth segments 6, 1–1.5 cm long, white, with reddish stripes and yellow basal spot. Stamens 6. Fruit capsule. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Reproduction by vegetative means and seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs on shallow soils on silicate bedrock in the subalpine belt, in stony and rocky meadows. Populations are small and fragmented.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rila Mts (eastern and central parts – on the slopes of Deno, Ovcharets, Suha Vapa and Sokolov peaks as well as the peaks near Belmeken and Zavrachitsa chalets); above 1800 m alt. Reported also for Balkan Range (central) and Vitosha Region.
General distribution. Arcto-alpine zone of Europe, Asia and N America.
Threats. Development of alpine tourism; fragmentation and loss of habitats as a result of ski tracks; restricted distribution; inbreeding due to population isolation.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the national Biodiversity Act. The species localities are within the borders of Rila National Park and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Detailed study of the areas and numbers of individuals per population, biology and ecology of the species, threats; monitoring of the state of the known localities and search for new localities in suitable habitats; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Kitanov 1964; Popova 1984.
Author: Stoyan Stoyanov
