Stachys serbica
Stachys serbica Pančić
Lamiaceae – Mint family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,ii,iii)+2ab(i,ii)]. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Annual. Stem erect, 10–20 cm high, simple or branched, puberulent. Leaves 1–40 cm long, 1–1.5 cm wide, oblong-oval, crenate-dentate, shortly hairy; lower leaves with long petiole. Bracts sessile, ovate-lanceolate, broad at base, acuminate. Verticillasters 4- to 6-flowered, crowded into a capitulum. Bracteoles lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate. Calyx 7–14 mm long, densely pubescent, swollen at fruit. Corolla 15–20 mm long, purple, slightly exceeding the calyx. Anthers patent, after anthesis remaining parallel under the upper corolla lip. Nuts obovate, dark brown. Fl. V–VI, fr. VII–VIII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in dry grasslands, mainly on limestone, sparse oak forests and scrubland. Populations are small and with low density.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Znepole Region (Konyavska and Mechka Mts), Rhodopi Mts (eastern – Krumovgrad and Ivailovgrad regions), Toundzha Hilly Country (Topolovgrad region); from 100 up to 1200 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Albania, Bosna and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, R Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia).
Threats. Grazing; changes in land use: timber production, infrastructure building; restricted distribution and small populations.
Conservation measures taken. One of the localities is within the borders of Valchi Dol Strict Nature Reserve. Some localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the numerical strength and distribution areas of the populations; some of the localities in W Bulgaria (Konyavska Mt) to be proclaimed as protected area; monitoring of the populations and collection of seeds for storage in relevant seed genebanks.
References. Koeva 1984, 1989; Gussev et al. 2002; Uzunov et al. 2002.
Author: Chavdar Gussev
