Salix rosmarinifolia
Salix rosmarinifolia L.
Salicaceae – Willow family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(i,iii,iv)+2ab(i,iii,iv)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Shrub, 1–2 m high. Stems creeping, branched. Leaves up to 10 times as long as wide, glabrous above, sericeous beneath. Catkins lateral, short stalked; bracts obovate, sericeous. Male catkins up to 1.5 cm, female up to 3.5 cm long. Stamens 2, free, almost 3 times as long as bracts. Female flowers with 1 nectary. Fl. IV–V, fr. V–VI. Propagation by vegetative means and seeds. Reproduction potential is very limited.
Habitats and populations. Grows in wet meadows, swamps and bogs. The species was last recorded in 1929 in the region of Choklyovo Blato swamp near Baykalsko village. In 2006 a new locality was recorded in Sofia district in plant association Junco effusi - Molinietum caeruleae Tüxen 1954. Moisture of the habitat varies throughout the year. The substrate has acid reaction (pH 5.6). The population consists of a few thousand shrubs, 30–40 cm high due to the regular mowing. The total area of the locality is several dozens hectares.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Sofia region (meadows at the borders of the land belonging to Tsruklevtsi, Ponor and Buchin Prohod villages), Znepole region (Choklyovo Blato); 800 m alt.
General distribution. Europe (Scandinavian Peninsula, C and E Europe).
Threats. Climate drying up; draining of habitats; ploughing and change in land use regimes; poor recruitment potential.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. The presently existing locality is in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria. A proposal for designation of the locality in Sofia region as a protected area has been submitted. An Action plan for conservation of the species is in a process of elaboration.
Conservation measures needed. Re-introduction of the species to Choklyovo Blato locality using plant material from the locality near Tsruklevtsi, Ponor and Buchin Prohod villages.
References. Velčev 1966; Velchev 1984; Hájek et al. 2006.
Author: Iva Apostolova, Sonya Tsoneva
