Sedum stefco
Sedum stefco Stef.
Crassulaceae – Orpine family
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU B1ab(iii)+2ab(ii)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial, rhizomatous plant. Stems in lax tufts, with 1–3 basal, leafy, sterile non-flowering shoots; flowering stems glabrous, 6–7 cm high. Leaves 4–5 mm long, purple red, cylindrical, acuminate. Flowers 9–15, with 2–2.5 mm long pedicels, gathered in a semicymoid inflorescence; perianth 4-lobed. Petals 4–5 mm long, 3–4 times as long as the calyx, light pink, acute. Stamens 8, dark purple. Follicles 4, narrow, patent, brown. Fl. V–VI, fr. VI–VII. Reproduction mainly by vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in dry, stony and rocky grasslands. Participates in hasmophytic communities. Populations consist of a few dozens to hundreds of individuals, with good density but strongly fragmented.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Danubian Plain (Kovachitsa village, Montana region), Forebalkan (western – Belogradchishki Skali), Balkan Range (Western, Central), Rila Mts (at the Kostenets waterfall and Orlovata Skala locality near Borovets), Rhodopi Mts; up to 1300 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, N Greece, R Macedonia, Serbia).
Threats. Adaptation to a very specific habitat and restricted distribution.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Part of population is within Belogradchishki Skali Protected Site. Some localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the population state.
References. Vălev 1970; Cheschmedzhiev 1984.
Author: Svetlana Bancheva
