Tozzia alpina
Tozzia alpina L. subsp.carpathica (Wolocszcz.) Dostál
Scrophulariaceae – Figwort family
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)]. BDA, HD.
Morphology and biology. Perennial semiparasitic herb. Rhizome 3–7 cm long, up to 1 cm thick, covered by fleshy scales. Stem 8–35(50) cm, 4-angled, simple or branched, usually hairy on the angles. Leaves sessile, entire or with 1–3 obtuse teeth; lower cauline usually alternate, middle and upper opposite, ovate. Flowers in bracteate axillary and terminal racemes. Pedicels 3–6 mm long. Corolla 4–6 mm, pale yellow. Fruit a globose, 1-seeded capsule. Fl. V–VII, fr. VII–IX. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Grows in damp places by streams. Populations are fragmented usually with small subpopulations.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (W, C), Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt), Pirin Mts, Rila Mts, Rhodopi Mts (W); from 1200 up to 2500 m alt.
General distribution. The Carpathians, Balkan Peninsula.
Threats. Disturbance of the water content in the localities due to water catchment, redirections of river beds and trampling by tourists; water pollution; adherence of the species to a specific and vulnerable habitat; strong fragmentation of the populations and isolation of the subpopulations.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species with a priority habitat under the national Biodiversity Act. Most localities fall within protected territories (Vitosha Nature Park, Rila and Pirin National Parks) and sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Elaboration of an action plan for the species; precise estimation of the population sizes and areas of occupancy; studies on the species’ biology and ecology and the impact of the particular threats; monitoring of selected subpopulations.
References. Andreev 1995; Assyov & Vassilev 2004.
Authors: Vladimir Vladimirov & Boris Assyov
