Timmia norvegica
Timmia norvegica J.E. Zetterst.
Timmiaceae
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(iii)].
Morphology and biology. Perennial acrocarpous moss. Tufts lax, yellowish green, brown at the base. Stems 2–8 cm high. Leaves sword-like, upper somewhat larger when compared with lower ones, incurved when dry, with sheathing base, narrowly lanceolate above, shortly pointed, and with entire margin. Nerve reddish brown, ending in leaf tip. Sporophyte on high stalk, inclined, elongated-ovoid, with longitudinal ridges. The species rarely forms sporophytes. Unisexual.
Habitats and populations. High mountain species. Grows in rock crevices and on steep rocky calcareous places.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Pirin Mts (near Vihren chalet).
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, Croatia, R Macedonia, Montenegro), N Europe and most mountains in Europe, Iceland, Caucasus, Siberia, Altai, North America. Sub-arctic/sub-alpine species.
Threats. Tourism development, landslides, erosion. The species is characterized by low potential for sexual reproduction.
Conservation measures taken. The locality is in within Pirin National Park and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Long-term study, assessment of the trends in habitat changes, prognosis for population development and recommendation of appropriate conservation measures.
References. Šmarda 1970.
Author: Anna Ganeva
