Vaccinium arctostaphylos
Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.
Ericaceae –Heath family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(ii); C]. BDA, BC. Tertiary relic.
Morphology and biology. Shrub, 3 m high. Stems ascending, branched, with smooth, brown bark. Leaves deciduous, 40–70 mm long, 18–30 mm wide, oblong-elliptical, minutely dentate, reticulate below. Flowers in lax racemes, corolla campanulate, pale reddish. Fruit a globose berry; seeds many, 1.5–1.7 mm in diameter, pale orange. Fl. V–VI, fr. VIII–IX. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. In shaded forests of Fagus orientalis and Quercus polycarpa. The subpopulations are of restricted distribution and are within areas of active economic activities. The number of individuals is low. Formation of shrub layer of Vaccinium in the forests of Fagus orientalis is reported in the vicinity of Malko Tarnovo.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Strandzha Mts (Sarnekovo and Sirakovo localities on the territory of Malko Tarnovo State Forestry Station, Uzunbudzhak Strict Nature Reserve; vicinities of Balgari, Brodilovo and Slivarovo villages); 150–300 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula, northern part of Asia Minor, Caucasus, Lesser Caucasus.
Threats. Significant number of individuals can be damaged by timber production activities. Intensive forest felling in territories adjacent to the localities of the species can cause draught in the localities.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Populations of the species are within the borders of Strandzha Nature Park, including the areas of Uzunbudzhak and Silkosiya Strict Nature Reserves. The localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the biology and ecology of the species; monitoring of the state of the population.
References. Jordanov 1938; Anchev 1982; Patronov 2002; Gussev et al. 2004.
Author: Tenyo Meshinev
