Moehringia jankae
Moehringia jankae Janka
Caryophyllaceae – Pink family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN D]. IUCN(R), BDA, HD, BC. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial, herbaceous tiny plant. Stock woody, with numerous, very slender ascending or erect, pubescent stems. Leaves opposite, petiolate, 6–9 mm long, 1–1.5 mm wide. Inflorescence terminal, lax, with few hermaphroditic flowers. Flowers 5-lobed, peduncles up to 1 cm long. Petals white, scarious, slightly shorter than the green sepals. Capsule ovate, dehiscent. Fl. IV–VI, fr. V–VII. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in dry, rocky places and crevices of quartz-porphyritic and calcareous rocks. Participates in open xerophytic herbaceous communities. Populations are diffuse, with 35–70 individuals, covering restricted area (6–17 m2).
Distribution in Bulgaria. NE Bulgaria (Shumen district), Balkan Range (eastern – Sinite Kamani Nature Park); from 500 up to 1050 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria, Romania (North Dobrudzha).
Threats. Soil erosion; damage of plants by grazing; restricted distribution; low numbers, density and small distribution area of the populations; low germination rate due to the dry and hard substrate.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. It is included in the 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants as “rare” and in the Bern Convention. Part of its localities are within the borders of Sinite Kamani and Shumensko Plateau Nature Parks and in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Strict control on the enforcement of the conservation measures envisaged in the management plans of the protected areas.
References. Kuzmanov & Kozhuharov 1966; Koeva 1984; Stanev 1990; Stoeva 2004.
Author: Milka Stoeva
