Onosma rhodopea
Onosma rhodopea Velen.
Boraginaceae – Borage family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iv,v); C2a(i)]. IUCN(R), BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous biennial. Stems 15–60 cm, branched from the base, setose. Basal leaves in a rosette, withering in anthesis. Cauline leaves sessile, setose; lower ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, upper linear-lanceolate. Inflorescence many-flowered, branched; flowers shortly pedicellate. Bracts about as long as calyx, lanceolate, setose. Calyx segments linear-lanceolate, patently setose. All setae simple, with enlarged base. Corolla tubular-campanulate, pale yellow, 2.5–4 cm long, puberulent. Nutlets minutely tuberculate. Fl. V–VII, fr. VII–VIII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in dry grassy and stony places on humus-rich carbonate soil. Populations consist of scattered solitary individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mt (Nova Lovcha village), Rhodopi Mts (central), Thracian Lowland (Bessaparski Hills); from 500 to 1500 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (S Bulgaria and NE Greece).
Threats. Afforestation; settlement development; limited distribution and low population density.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. The localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. More precise estimation of population numerical strength and area of occupancy; research into species biology and ecology, threats; protection and maintenance of species habitats and area occupied.
References. Ball 1972; Popova 1984; Petrova 1989.
Author: Desislava Sopotlieva
