Oxytropis urumovii
Oxytropis urumovii Jáv.
Fabaceae – Pea family
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU B1ab(iv,v)+2ab(iv); C2a(i)]. Bulgarian endemic. Glacial relic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial, acaulescent plant. Stipules ovate-lanceolate, scarious, connate. Leaves pinnate, leaflets 8–15 pairs, (5)7–12(14) mm long, (2)3–4(5) mm wide, ovate-lanceolate. Peduncles (3)5–16(28) cm long, rarely longer than leaves. Inflorescence with (4)6–10(15) flowers. Calyx 1/2 to 1/3 as long as the corolla. Corolla (12)14–15(16) mm long, pale yellow. Legume 10–14 mm long, 4–5 mm wide, ovate. Seeds 1.5–2.2 mm in diameter, dark brown, smooth. Fl. VII–IX, fr. VIII–X. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs on marble rocks with shallow soil on eastern and northeastern slopes. Populations are with good number of individuals. Participates in alpine herbaceous communities with Festuca pirinica, Onobrychis scardica, Saxifraga ferdinandi-coburgi, Carum graecum, Achillea ageratifolia, Campanula velebitica, Thymus perinicus, Centaurea achtarovii, etc.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Pirin Mts (northern – Golyam and Malak Kazan peaks, Vihren peak, Banski Suhodol and Razlozhki Suhodol peaks, Kamenititsa peaks); 2500–2800 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Tourism, avalanches, land slides.
Conservation measures taken. Populations are within the borders of Pirin National Park and Bayuvi Dupki-Dzhindzhiritsa Strict Nature Reserve as well as in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Strengthening of the protection measures in Pirin National Park during summers when the tourist traffic through the species’ localities is very intensive.
References. Kožuharov 1976; Andreev 1992.
Author: Dimitar Dimitrov
