Thymelaea bulgarica
Thymelaea bulgarica Cheshm.
Thymelaeaceae – Mezereon family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN D]. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous annual. Stem 8–35 cm high, slender, unbranched or scarcely branched. Leaves alternate, sessile, linear, 8–12 mm long. Flowers hermaphroditic and unisexual, greenish yellow, in the axils of the upper leaves. Bracts ovate or lanceolate, 2–5 mm long. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Reproduction by seeds, but the seed production strongly depends on climatic conditions.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in open sub-Mediterranean scrub of Carpinus orientalis with participation of Fraxinus ornus, Cotinus coggygria, Syringa vulgaris and herbaceous cover mainly of steppe and aromatic plants. Soils are dry, stony, well drained and eroded, on limestone. Populations consist of 25–100 individuals scattered on an area of several square meters.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (eastern – Sinite Kamani Nature Park), Znepole Region, Slavyanka Mt and Pirin Mts; at 900–1500 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Aridisation of climate; soil erosion by water streams; trampling by tourists; low numbers and small area of the populations; annual fluctuations in seed production and numbers of populations due to the various climatic conditions.
Conservation measures taken. Part of the populations are within the borders of protected areas (Sinite Kamani Nature Park, Pirin National Park) and the conservation of the species is envisaged by their management plans. 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; strict implementation of the measures envisaged in the management plans of the protected areas on whose territory the species occurs; change of the tourist paths in order to avoid trampling of the localities.
References. Cheshmedzhiev 1997; Stoeva 2004.
Author: Milka Stoeva
