Nonea obtusifolia
Nonea obtusifolia (Willd.) DC.
Boraginaceae – Borage family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii)].
Morphology and biology. Shortly setose-hispid, eglandular annual. Stems 5–15(30) cm, ascending, usually simple, hairs not enlarged at base. Leaves 2–6 × 0.5–1.5 cm, elliptical to elliptical-ovate, obtuse, almost entire to denticulate; lower cauline leaves petiolate, upper cauline leaves decurrent. Inflorescence dense to lax, elongated in fruit. Calyx 4.5–5.0 mm at anthesis, 7–11 mm in fruit. Corolla ca. 8 mm, blue; tube sparsely hairy inside, with long scales at throat; limb 3–5 mm in diameter, divided to ca. ½ into broadly ovate lobes. Anthers inserted into the tube. Nutlets horizontal, ca. 3–4 × 2 mm, oblong-ovoid, erect, smooth, shiny, blackish, shortly pubescent. Fl. V–VI, fr. VI–VII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Dry grasslands. Populations are small, consisting of single individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea Coast (Southern – Medni Rid locality, near Ahtopol town, Burgas district).
General distribution. E Mediterranean, SW Asia (Asia Minor).
Threats. Economic activities (agriculture, afforestation, grazing, urbanization); restricted distribution with small populations; changes of the vegetation cover.
Conservation measures taken. One of the localities is within the borders of Strandzha Nature Park. The localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the numerical strength and the size of the populations; population monitoring.
References. Evstatieva 1984a; Kožuharov 1989.
Author: Chavdar Gussev
