Swertia perennis
Swertia perennis L.
Gentianaceae – Gentian family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(ii,iii,iv)]. Glacial relic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herb with a short rhizome. Stem 15–45 cm, erect, glabrous, often purplish at base, more or less 4-angled. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate to obovate, usually alternate; lower cauline petiolate, upper sessile. Flowers 5–15 (24), in racemose or paniculate inflorescences. Petals violet blue, very rarely yellow, acute at apex, spreading star-like in full blossom. Fruit a capsule. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means (poorly effective).
Habitats and populations. Grows in wet places by streams and bogs on siliceous bedrock. Populations are strongly fragmented. Subpopulations are variable in size, ranging from tens to several hundred individuals. Due to the specific and rare habitat, the population fragments are usually very isolated from each other.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mts), Pirin Mts, Rila Mts.; above 1000 m alt.
General distribution. Europe (but absent in the northernmost parts), Asia Minor.
Threats. Global climate changes cause disturbance in the water content in the localities; trampling by tourists in some localities; small subpopulations and low competitiveness of the species; adherence to a specific, relatively rare habitat.
Conservation measures taken. The localities are situated in Vitosha Nature Park, Rila and Pirin National Parks and also in the respective sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Studies on the species biology and ecology and the impact of the particular threats; monitoring of selected populations; deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Kožuharov & Petrova 1982; Tan & Vladimirov 2001.
Author: Vladimir Vladimirov
