Trifolium squarrosum
Trifolium squarrosum L.
Fabaceae – Pea family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(i,ii,iii)+2ab(i,ii,iii)].
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous annual. Stems erect or ascending, 30–40 cm. Leaflets 1.5–2.5 cm long, 0.3–0.5 cm wide, oblanceolate-elliptical. Flower heads up to 3 cm long, ovoid, lax. Flowers 0.9–1.2 cm long. Calyx 10-veined, hairy; calyx tube ovoid, contracted at the mouth, densely hairy. Corolla pale pink. Legume 1-seeded. Fl. V–VI, fr. VI–VII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in moist meadows in the lowlands. Population is small, with scattered plants. The larger part of the species habitat was destroyed during the 1970s. Only small fragments of the habitat remained but no specimens were recorded in the period 2003–2006.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Toundzha Hilly Country (between Kaloyanovo and Zhelyo Voivoda villages, Sliven district); 150 m alt.
General distribution. S Europe, Mediterranean Area.
Threats. Limited distribution of the species in Bulgaria; small population; deterioration and destruction of the habitat (ploughing of the wet meadows).
Conservation measures taken. For protection of the habitats of the species the Biological Diversity Act requires establishment of protected areas in accordance with the regulations of the Protected Areas Act.
Conservation measures needed. More precise estimation of population size and area of occupancy; research into species biology, ecology and habitat; protection and maintenance of the habitat and the area of distribution.
References. Gančev & Denčev 1965; Kožuharov 1976.
Author: Desislava Sopotlieva
