Minuartia stojanovii
Minuartia stojanovii (Kitan.) Kožuharov & Kuzmanov
Caryophyllaceae – Pink family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ac(ii,iii)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial caespitose herb. Stems numerous, 3–8 cm long, patently densely hairy. Leaves 2–8 mm long, linear-lanceolate to linear-filiform, united at the base, 1-veined. Stipules narrowly lanceolate, shorter than the pedicels. Flowers solitary, terminally on the stems or in 5–8-flowered cymes. Calyx 3.5–6 mm long, linear-lanceolate, glabrous, white with green band and distinctly 1-veined. Petals obovate, shorter or rarely as long as the calyx, white. Fruit ovate-conical capsule, shorter than the calyx. Seeds brown, with finely tuberculate surface. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. In rock crevices. The populations are small in size; plants grow individually or in groups occupying limited areas.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Pirin Mts (southern – Orelyak peak); 2000 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria and Greece (Bozdag).
Threats. Habitats disturbance; small and isolated populations; low reproductive potential.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. The locality is in Pirin National Park and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Collection and deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria; investigation into the trends of the habitat changes.
References. Kozhuharov & Kuzmanov 1966; Delipavlov 1984; Kamari 1997.
Author: Ana Petrova
