Polygala sibirica
Polygala sibirica L.
Polygalaceae – Milkwort family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v); C2a(ii)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herbaceous plant. Stems up to 30 cm high, erect, pubescent. Leaves alternate, linear to narrowly elliptical, acute. Raceme lateral, extra-axillary. Two of the sepals campanulate, much larger than the remaining 3, wrapping the corolla laterally. Corolla blue violet, petals united in a corolla tube, one of the petals with fimbriate appendages at apex. Capsule compressed, cordate. Fl. V–VI, fr. VI–VII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by vegetative means and seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs on shallow soil and in crevices of calcareous rocks with southern exposure. The only population in Bulgaria and on the Balkan Peninsula is with ca. 150 individuals on an area of ca. 0.2 ha, on the ridge of the left slope of Cherni Lom river.
Distribution in Bulgaria. NE Bulgaria (northwards from Koshov village, Ruse region); 70 m alt.
General distribution. E Europe (C and E Romania, S Russia and Ukraine), Asia (the steppe regions of Siberia and Indo-Himalayan region to the south).
Threats. Grazing and trampling by domestic animals; burning of dry grass, shrubs and stubble fields; restricted distribution; small number of individuals and population isolation.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the national Biodiversity Act. The locality is within the borders of Rusenski Lom Nature Park.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the natural reproductive potential of the species; ex situ cultivation of plants and their reintroduction in suitable habitats; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. McNeill 1968; Stoyanov 1998.
Author: Stoyan Stoyanov
