Papaver degenii
Papaver degenii (Urum. & Jav.) Kuzmanov
Papaveraceae –Poppy family
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU D1+2]. BDA. Bulgarian endemic. Glacial relic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial, herbaceous, densely caespitose, ciliate to setose plant, with white latex. Stems 3–10 cm long, procumbent or ascending. Leaves in a basal rosette, pinnate, petiolate. Flowers single, terminal, peduncles long; sepals 2, green, deciduous; petals 4, yellow to orange. Capsule not dehiscent, ciliate, with a terminal, 4–5-lobed disc. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds, rarely by vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Grows on marble rocky places, on shallow soils, screes and rock crevices in the subalpine and alpine belts. Participates in open, herbaceous communities dominated by Festuca pirinensis. Populations are mosaic, with low density (20–60 individuals) and restricted area of several square meters.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Pirin Mts (northern); at 1915–2850 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Grazing, trampling and collection of flowering stems by tourists; prevention of plants transplanted into alpine gardens; restricted distribution; low numbers and area of the populations; low reproductive potential due to the short vegetative season that prevents seeds from ripening; low germination rate due to the unfavourable substrate.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Its localities are within the borders of Pirin National Park, Bayuvi Dupki-Dzhindzhiritsa Strict Nature Reserve, and in a site of the European Ecological Network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Strict implementation of the conservation measures envisaged in the management plan of Pirin National Park.
References. Kuzmanov 1968, 1970; Andreev 1984; Andreev 1989, 1992; Greuter et al. 1989.
Author: Milka Stoeva
