Ranunculus stojanovii
Ranunculus stojanovii Delip.
Ranunculaceae – Buttercup family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2b(iii)c(iii); C2a(i)]. BDA. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial, with tuberous roots and stolons, densely sericeous. Stem 40–50 cm high, with 3–8 branches above, each ending with a single flower. Basal leaves long petiolate, 3-lobed. Cauline leaves 1–3, sessile, 3-lobed. Flowers 3–3.5 cm in diameter. Sepals pubescent, curved downwards at anthesis. Petals yellow. Nutlets tuberculate, with erect or curved beaks. Fl. VI, fr. VII–VIII. Reproduction mainly by vegetative means, rarely by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in damp places in the beech forests belt. Mainly on limestone with shallow soil. Member of communities of Festuca valesiaca and in different hasmophytic groups in rock crevices. The populations are strongly fragmented, with a low number of individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (Western – Ravnogor village; Central – Dyavolskia Most near Ardino). Reported for Thracian Lowland (near Stamboliiski town).
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Low reproductive and migration potential of the species; requirement of a specific habitat; grazing and trampling by domestic animals.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. The localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria. A proposal for designation of the locality near Ravnogor village as a protected area has been submitted. An Action plan for conservation of the species is in a process of elaboration.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the biology and ecology of the species; assessment of the impact of negative factors on the species; monitoring of the populations; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria; elaboration of an action plan for the species.
References. Delipavlov 1971; Delipavlov1984; Vassilev 2006.
Author: Svetlana Bancheva
