Sparganium minimum
Sparganium minimum Fries
Sparganiaceae – Bur-reed family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR A1c; B2ab(i)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial. Stem 20–50 cm long, floating, rarely erect. Leaves mostly floating or erect, bright green, flat, 2–8 mm wide, without midrib. Inflorescence with 2–3 female capitula, and only 1, rare 2 male capitula. All capitula sessile or only the lower female capitulum on short pedicel. Ovary elliptical-ovate, with short style and ovate or lanceolate stigma. Fruit almost sessile, oval, with narrow lower part, not glossy. Fl. V–VI, fr. VI–VII. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. The species grows in swamps, mires, bogs and permanent fresh water lakes. Subpopulations consist of single individuals or small groups, strongly fragmented.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Sofia region (Kazichene swamp), Znepole region (Dragoman swamp), Vitosha region (Vitosha Mts), Rhodopi Mts (Central).
General distribution. N and C Europe, Balkan Peninsula, northern parts of Asia, N America.
Threats. Mostly anthropogenic: draining of swamps, pollution of fresh water bodies.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Some of the subpopulations of the species are within the borders of Vitosha Nature Park. Some localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Elaboration of an action plan and detailed study of the chorology, biology and ecology of the species, numerical strength and area of its subpopulations; long-term monitoring; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria. If proven necessary, proclamation of a protected area for the conservation of the species.
References. Jordanov 1963; Kochev 1984.
Author: Dessislava Dimitrova
