Verbascum anisophyllum
Verbascum anisophyllum Murb.
Scrophulariaceae – Figwort family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR 1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iv); C2a(i,ii); D]. IUCN(V). BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Green biennial, densely covered by long glandular hairs and branched hairs. Stem 40–100 cm, leafy, branched from the base. Basal leaves 5–10 cm long, 2.5–3.5 cm wide, oblong- or oval-elliptical, irregularly crenate, cuneate at base; petioles 2.5–5 cm; lower cauline leaves similar to basal, but smaller, upper cauline leaves semiamplexicaul, sagitate-triangular, acuminate. Flowers in dichasia, lower many-flowered, upper 1–2-flowered, all gathered in a compound, lax panicle. Calyx 3–6 mm long, divided almost to the base, densely covered by long, glandular hairs. Corolla ca. 30 mm in diameter, deep yellow. Stamens 5; filaments of the lower two stamens c. 6 mm long, at apex or in the upper 1/3 glabrous on outer surface, the inner surface with very long, purple papillae; filaments of the remaining stamens densely covered by purple papillae. Seeds 0.8–0.9 mm long, conical-prismatic. Fl. VI–VIII, fr. VII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. On dry, stony, calcareous slopes in grasslands or rare forests. The population consists of single individuals and covers very restricted area. Reproductive potential is low. The age structure is unbalanced – the plants are biennial and only a small number of the plants from the first year reaches maturity in the second year.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Znepole region (Konyavska Mt – southern slopes of Viden peak); from 400 up to 900 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria, Serbia.
Threats. Trampling by cattle and overgrazing; extraction of inert material; restricted distribution and very small number of individuals; low reproductive potential.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Included in 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants as ‘vulnerable’. The locality is within a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria. An Action plan for conservation of the species is in a process of elaboration.
Conservation measures needed. Proclamation of a protected area. Raising awareness of local communities about the high conservation value of the species; monitoring of the population and collection of seeds for storage in relevant seed genebanks.
References. Stefanova 1984; Stefanova-Gateva 1992; Gussev et al. 2002; Walter & Gillet 1998.
Author: Chavdar Gussev
