Trifolium globosum
Trifolium globosum L.
Fabaceae – Pea family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ac(i,ii,iii)].
Morphology and biology. Annual herb. Stems several, (5)10–20(35) cm long, erect, simple or branching from the base, patently hairy. Stipules ovate, non-auriculate, shortly acute, coriaceous, united to the middle of its length. Leaves 3-foliolate, leaflets (4)7–10(13) mm long, 4–8(10) mm wide, obovate, sessile, with long patent rusty hairs. Peduncles longer than the subtending leaves, erect or arcuate, with patent rusty hairs. Flowers zygomorphic, the outer fertile, the inner sterile; heads globose, 20–25 mm in diameter, sessile, ebracteate. Calyx 4–5 mm long, almost bilabiate, with 5 conspicuous and 5 unclear veins; calyx teeth equal to the calyx-tube, linear-subulate, with long patent hairs. Corolla longer than the calyx, pink becoming pale brown after anthesis. Fruit ellipsoid legume, 1-seeded, included in the calyx. Fl. III–V, fr. IV–VI. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Dry grassy places. Forms small populations occupying limited area.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea Coast (Southern – Silistar locality), Thracian Lowland (Svilengrad and Haskovo districts), Tundzha Hilly Country (Elhovo district); up to 50 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (SE part), SW Asia (Asia Minor).
Threats. Small in number populations with limited area; tourist and agricultural activities.
Conservation measures taken. One of the localities is in the Salistar Protected Site. Some localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Collection and deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Coombe 1968; Zohary 1970; Kožuharov 1976; Kozhuharov 1984; Petrova & Kozuharov 1982.
Author: Ana Petrova
