Salvia pinnata
Salvia pinnata L.
Lamiaceae – Mint family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(ii); D; E ]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial. Stem 40–60 cm high, erect, densely leafy, glandular. Leaves irregularly pinnatisect, upper lobe ovate-oblong, lateral lobes 2–5 pairs, ovate, crenate, with simple eglandular and glandular hairs. Verticillasters 5–10, distant, each with 4–6 flowers. Calyx 10–15 mm long, urceolate, truncate, often purple, densely glandular, sticky. Corolla 25–30 mm, lilac to pink, lower lip with 2 short lobes and 1 broadly-ovate, hanging lobe. Nutlets dark brown, slightly rounded. Fl. IV–VI, fr. VI–VII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in open, dry, grassy places, along roads and fields, in foothill areas. Populations with low number of individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (eastern – the only known locality is near Svirachi village, Ivailovgrad region); at 160 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, European Turkey), E Mediterranean region (Cyprus), SW Asia.
Threats. Grazing, small-scale farming, trampling by people and animals.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. The locality is within a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the numerical strength and distribution area of the population; study of the biology and ecology of the species and potential for cultivation; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Markova & Cherneva 1984; Markova 1989.
Author: Elena Genova
