Pulsatilla slaviankae
Pulsatilla slaviankae (Zimmer.) Jordanov & Kožuharov
Ranunculaceae – Buttercup family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii)+2ab(iii)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial. Rhizome stout, strongly branched, with terminal large, elliptical-lanceolate, scarious leaves, from which develop the stem and basal rosette. Stem 20–40 cm high, erect, densely sericeous. Basal leaves develop after anthesis, sericeous, 3–4-pinnate, with long petioles; cauline leaves with long silky hairs; involucral bracts 40–60 mm long, with 33–42 linear lobes. Flowers 5.8–7.2 cm in diameter, erect. Perianth segment ovate, shortly acuminate, violet, sericeous on outer surface. Nutlets 3–4 mm long, prismatic, shortly pubescent, style remaining at fruit, 35–40 mm long. Fl. III–IV, fr. V–VI.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in dry, stony, open places in the beech and coniferous belts. Populations are fragmented, consisting of tens to hundreds of individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavyanka Mts (above Goleshevo and Paril villages); Pirin Mts (southern – Lyaskovski peak); between 1000–1700 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, Greece, R Macedonia).
Threats. Adaptation to specific habitat; restricted distribution; soil erosion.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Part of the population of the species is within the borders of Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve in Slavyanka Mt. The localities of the species are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the biology and ecology of the species and revealing of the threat factors; monitoring of the population state.
References. Jordanov & Kožuharov 1970; Koeva 1984; Dimitrov & Nikolov 1998.
Author: Svetlana Bancheva
