Micromeria frivaldszkyana
Micromeria frivaldszkyana (Degen) Velen.
Lamiaceae – Mint family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN A3d; B1ab(ii)+2ab(ii)]. BDA. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous perennial. Stems 15–30 cm, strongly branched. Leaves ovate, crenate-dentate, with dense translucent glands beneath, rich in aromatic oils. Flowers white or pale pink, shortly pubescent outside, arranged in a lax panicle. Nutlets up to 1 mm long, brown, smooth. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. IX–X. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in rocky and grassy places, scrub, usually on limestone. Occurs in the beech forest belts and in the subalpine grasslands. Population size varies; large subpopulations are to be found at Kozyata Stena peak and Kumanitsa Ridge. Specimens have good viability, flowering and fruiting regularly.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (central, eastern); 900–1800 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. The main threat is the collection of the species for making herbal tea. Tourism development in the Central Balkan Range is a potential threat since many of the localities are in close proximity to the tourist trails.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Species localities are situated in Central Balkan National Park, Kozya Stena Strict Nature Reserve, Sinite Kamani Nature Park and in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria
Conservation measures needed. No special measures needed.
References. Ančev 1989; Meshinev et al. 2000; Grozeva et al. 2004.
Author: Iva Apostolova
