Polygala carniolica
Polygala carniolica A. Kern.
Polygalaceae – Milkwort family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iii)].
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous perennial. Stems ascending to nearly erect, woody at base. Basal leaves ovate-spathulate or elliptic, withering; cauline linear-lanceolate or linear. Flowers 20–40, arranged in terminal and lateral inflorescences. Outer sepals equal, straight; inner sepals (wings) wider than capsule, elliptic, obtuse. Corolla slightly longer than wings, pinkish violet. Capsule obcordate to obovate, with a carpophore. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Grows on shallow, poorly developed soils, usually on limestone. Average population density is about 50 individuals per 100 m2. The species occurs mainly in the southwest parts of Bulgaria.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mt (Pazluka locality near Ilinden village, Golyam Tsarev peak), Pirin Mts (Southern – Lyaskovski peak above Musomishta village, Baba peak), Rhodopi Mts (Central – Mugla village); 1000–1700 m alt.
General distribution. S Europe, EC Europe, W Balkan Peninsula.
Threats. Limited distribution and small population size; habitat deterioration due to trampling and grazing.
Conservation measures taken. The locality in Slavyanka Mt is within Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve. All localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Legal protection of the species according to the national Biodiversity Act; designation of protected territories in the localities near Mousomishta village (Lyaskovski peak) and Ilinden village (Pazluka locality) where other species of conservation concern occur as well; deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. McNeill 1968; Kožuharov & Petrova 1979; Ganchev 1984; Greuter et al. 1989; Dimitrov et al. 2010.
Author: Pepa Ignatova
