Verbascum davidoffii
Verbascum davidoffii Murb.
Scrophulariaceae – Figwort family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v)]. BDA. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Biennial herbaceous plant. Stem up to 80 cm high, usually unbranched. Basal leaves obovate, densely hairy. Flowers in groups of 2–4 in the upper part of the stem. Calyx 5-merous, with black glandular hairs. Corolla 5-merous, golden yellow, up to 3.5 cm in diameter. Fruit spherical to ovate capsule. Fl. VI–VII, fr. VII–IX. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Inhabits grassy openings and light, rocky places in forests of Pinus heldreichii on calcareous soils. Populations are of low number of individuals and severely fragmented.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Pirin Mts (northern – between the valleys of River Bunderitsa and Razlozhki Suhodol, from 1300 up to 2000 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Limited distribution, peculiar biology and specific ecological requirements of the species, the low reproductive capability, forest felling, destruction and pollution of the habitats due to tourism and infrastructure development in the known localities.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. All known localities are within Pirin National Park, some of them in Bayuvi Dupki – Dzhindzhiritsa Strict Nature Reserve, and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Sustainable management and conservation of the habitats and the known localities. Detailed survey of the area of occupancy and the number of individuals. Monitoring of the populations. Preparation and implementation of an action plan for the species.
References. Urumoff 1920; Urumov 1923; Andreev 1988; Stefanova 1984; Stefanova-Gateva 1995.
Authors: Boris Assyov, Cvetomir M. Denchev
