Micromeria juliana
Micromeria juliana (L.) Rchb.
Lamiaceae – Mint family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herbaceous plant. Stems 10–30 cm high, erect, densely pubescent. Leaves narrowly elliptical, opposite, small, soft-pubescent. Inflorescence narrow raceme. Verticillasters 5–20-flowered. Calyx 2-lipped, with short dense hairs. Corolla 4–5 mm long, reddish purple, with two lips, upper lip entire, lower lip deeply 3-lobed, lobes rounded. Nutlet ca.1 mm, dark brown, glabrous. Fl. V–VII, fr. VII– VIII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by vegetative means and seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs on shallow soil or in crevices of calcareous rocks in open xerophytic herbaceous communities. Populations are with low number of individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (eastern – Kaleto locality near Gugutka village and Boruna locality near Zhelezino village, Ivailovgrad district); 100–900 m alt.
General distribution. S and SE (Balkan Peninsula) Europe, NW Africa, W Asia Minor, Crete and Aegean islands.
Threats. Grazing and trampling by domestic animals near urban places; fires both natural and anthropogenic; restricted distribution.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the national Biodiversity Act. Part of the localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Proclamation of eastern Rhodopi Mts as protected area; restriction of grazing in the known localities; detailed study of the areas and number of individuals per population, biology and ecology of the species; threats; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Anchev 1984, 1989; Baden 1991.
Author: Stoyan Stoyanov
