Scorpiurium circinatum
Scorpiurium circinatum (Brid.) M. Fleisch. & Loeske
Eurhynchium circinatum (Brid.) Bruch & Schimp.3
Brachytheciaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(iii)].
Morphology and biology. Perennial robust pleurocarpous moss forming flat olive green tufts. Primary stem creeping, secondary stems curved, about 2 cm long, pinnate branched in the upper part. Branches pointed and strongly arched, curved when dry. Stem leaves triangular-cordate (heart-shaped), rapidly narrowed to long sharp tip, with entire or toothed margin. Branch leaves narrower, ovate-lanceolate, pointed, with toothed margin. Nerve single and strong. Sporophyte on smooth long (1.0–1.5 cm) stalk, inclined, ellipsoid. Unisexual.
Habitats and populations. Plants grow on dry and exposed rocks near the coast.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea Coast (Northern – Bolata locality near the town of Kaliakra; Southern – near the town of Sinemorets and S of Primorsko, Kolokita locality).
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, R Macedonia, Montenegro) and other parts of Europe (Azores, Madeira, UK, Ireland, Belgium, Mediterranean region, Crimea), Asia Minor, Iran. Oceanic-Mediterranean species.
Threats. Tourist development, building activities, human settlement extension, air pollution. The species is characterised by low potential for sexual reproduction.
Conservation measures taken. Some localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Long-term study, assessment of trends in habitat changes, prognosis for populations development and based on this identification of conservation measures.
References. Petrov 1970.
Author: Anna Ganeva
