Stachys milanii
Stachys milanii Petrovič
Lamiaceae – Mint Family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN A3c; B2ab(ii); C2a(i)]. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Annual herbaceous plant. Stem 15–50 cm high, erect, simple or branched, glandular. Leaves obtuse, rounded at base, petiolate, densely pubescent. Verticillasters with 2–6 flowers, distant. Bracts absent. Calyx 7–9 mm long, campanulate, densely glandular, with 2–4 mm long pedicel; calyx-tube 4–6 mm long, teeth acute, triangular. Corolla 20 mm long, yellow, with 2 lips. Upper lip 5–6 mm long, lower 12–13 mm long, 7–10 mm short, with large middle lobe. Nutlets ovoid, dark brown, 2.6 mm long, lateral ribs narrowly winged at base. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in grassy places, in shrubs and corn fields, along railways and in urban areas. Populations are with low number of individuals and on a small area – 0.05 ha.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea coast, Sofia Region, Znepole Region, Thracian Lowland, Toundzha Hilly Country; from 100 up to 800 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, E Serbia).
Threats. Changes in the habitats due to human impact: small scale agriculture, grazing, infrastructure development.
Conservation measures taken. Some localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Protection of the species by the Biodiversity Act; study of the biology and ecology of the species, the numerical strength and area of the populations; collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Velenovský 1891; Toshev 1903; Koeva 1989.
Author: Elena Genova
