Valeriana simplicifolia
Valeriana simplicifolia (Rchb.) Kabath.
Valerianaceae – Valerian family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v); C2a(i)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial, dioecious, herbaceous plant, with long, sparingly branched rhizome and sterile, stoloniferous. Stem solitary, 15–60 cm high, broadly ridged to almost winged, branched above, with 3–5 pairs of leaves. Basal and cauline leaves entire. Inflorescence terminal, compound, semiumbel. Flowers unisexual. Corolla pink or white. Male flowers with 1–1.5 mm long tube, female flowers with 2.5–3 mm long tube. Fruits glabrous. Fl. V–VI, fr. VII−VIII. Insect pollination, rarely wind pollination. Reproduction by seed and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in shady, wet, grassy places along streams in the beech forest belts.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Pirin Mts (Krusheto locality above Razlog and in the lower part of the valley of Glazne River above Bansko); 1300–1400 m alt.
General distribution. C (southwards to Italy) and E Europe (excluding Greece).
Threats. Restricted distribution, low number of individuals, strong fragmentation of habitats and specific ecological needs.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. The population in the valley of Glazne River is within the borders of Pirin National Park. Species localities are within sites of the European Ecological Network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the state of the species localities, reproduction biology and factors having impact on the area and number of individuals in the populations; conservation of seeds in the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Kuzmanov 1984; Delipavlov et al. 1995.
Author: Lyuba Evstatieva
