Rhamnus alpina
Rhamnus alpina L.
Rhamnaceae – Buckthorn family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(ii,iii); C2a(i)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Usually erect shrub up to 4 m, twigs glabrous. Leaves (1.5)4–10(15) cm, green on both surfaces, broadly elliptical, obtuse; lateral veins 10–20 pairs, prominent beneath; petiole up to 20 mm; stipules caducous. Drupe 4–6 mm, black.Fl. V–VI, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Dry, stony, rocky and sunny places. Distributed as single individuals or shrub phytocoenoses; restricted and fragmented distribution.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Slavjanka Mt, Pirin Mts (Southern); reported also for Rhodopi Mts (Central) but needs confirmation; from 600 up to 1400 m alt.
General distribution. SW, C and SE (Balkan Peninsula) Europe, SW Asia (Asia Minor).
Threats. Building activities and road constructions that impact the species localities.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Part of the species population in Bulgaria is within the borders of Alibotush Strict Nature Reserve and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Elaboration of an action plan for the species; detailed study of its chorology, population size, biology and ecology. Long-term monitoring and collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Ganchev 1979; Marinov 1984.
Author: Dessislava Dimitrova
