Verbascum lagurus
Verbascum lagurus Fisch. & C.A. Mey
Scrophulariaceae – Figwort family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,ii,iii)+2ab(ii)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Biennial, grey-tomentose plant, covered by multicellular, branched hairs. Stem 60–120 cm, erect, leafy, mostly branched. Basal leaves with 3–6 cm long petioles, lamina 6–25 cm long, 2.5–10 cm wide, oblong-elliptical, shortly acuminate; oval or cuneate at base, vaguely dentate to entire. Cauline leaves shorter, lower similar to basal, upper sessile or cordate. Flowers 2–6 in dichasia, arranged in a compound spike. Calyx 4–7 mm long, lobes lanceolate, acuminate. Corolla 20–30 mm in diameter, yellow, outer surface tomentose, inner glabrous. Stamens 5; filaments yellow, with white papillae. Seeds 0.8 mm long, conical-prismatic. Fl. VI–VIII, fr. VII–X. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in grassy and stony places, forest meadows, forest margins, and clearings in the oak forest belts. The populations are small. Seed production is regular, but the reproductive potential is low.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Toundzha Hilly Country (high parts of Sakar Mt), Strandzha Mts (near Slivarovo and Brodilovo villages, Papiya peak, Uzunbudzhak and Vitanovo Strict Nature Reserves); from 300 up to 800 m alt.
General distribution. Bulgaria, Turkey-in-Europe (Strandzha Mt and near Bosporus), SW Asia (NW Anatolia).
Threats. Trampling; small populations and low reproductive potential.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. Part of the population is within the borders of Strandzha Nature Park, Uzunbudzhak and Vitanovo Strict Nature Reserves. The localities are within a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the populations; study of the numerical strength and population area, biology and ecology of the species, threats; collection of seeds for storage in relevant seed gene banks.
Note. Only Verbascum lagurus subsp. ponticum is distributed in Bulgaria.
References. Stefanova-Gateva 1995.
Author: Chavdar Gussev
