Verbascum juruk
Verbascum juruk Stef.
Scrophulariaceae – Figwort family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR A1ac; B1ab(i,ii,iii)+2ab(ii)]. BDA. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial plant with several tomentose rosettes at the base of the flowering stem. Stems 20–40 cm high, branched in the upper 1/3. Basal leaves with 5–9 cm long petioles, lamina 5–7 cm long, 2.5–3.0 cm wide, elliptical, irregularly dentate, flat or undulate. Cauline leaves sessile, smaller. Flowers 2–3 in groups, in an one-sided monochasium, arranged in a panicle. Calyx 2–3.5 mm long, divided almost to the base. Corolla 15 mm in diameter, pale yellow, on outer surface with scattered hairs, on inner with papillae and dark spots at the base. Stamens 5; filaments densely covered by purple papillae. Capsule 4 mm long, narrow elliptical, tomentose, hairs deciduous. Fl. VI–VIII, fr. VII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds and rhizome shoots.
Habitats and populations. On dry, grassy and eroded places in the belt of the xerothermic oak forests. Subpopulations consist of single, scattered individuals. Seed production is low. The habitat has changed and the size of the population has been drastically reduced. In the classic locality the number of individuals is very low due to habitat changes – one part is covered by forest, and another has been changed by building of a road.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (Eastern – northern slopes of Maglenishki Rid, above Gorni Yurutsi village, Krumovgrad region); c. 300 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Trampling and grazing, afforestation, constructions of truck roads for timber production and protection of the national frontier; dynamics in the distribution of the accompanying species; restricted distribution and low population density.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the numerical strength and population size, biology and ecology of the species, threats; elaboration of an action plan; monitoring of the populations and collection of seeds for storage in relevant seed genebanks.
References. Stefanova 1984; Stefanova-Gateva 1992.
Author: Chavdar Gussev
