Veronica multifida
Veronica multifida L.
Scrophulariaceae –Figwort family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(i,ii,iv,v)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herbs with oblique roots. Stem herbaceous, erect, 20–60 cm high, branched at the base, sparsely in the lower part, densely pubescent under inflorescence. Leaves herbaceous, ovate, bi- to three-pinnate, the leaf edge involute; petioles to 1 mm long, pubescent and with 3-cell glands. Flowers in lateral, lax racemes. Bracts lanceolate to bi- or three-pinnate. Flower stalks 2.5–4 mm long. Petals blue. Fruit obtriangular to obcordate, pubescent capsule. Fl. V–VI, fr. VI –VII. Pollinated by insects. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Inhabits dry rocky and stony places in lowlands. The population is fragmented, not numerous, with dispersed individuals or variously sized groups
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea Coast (Northern – Pobiti Kamani locality, Beloslav village), Northeast Bulgaria (around Devnya town), Thracian Lowland (between Stit and Raikova Mogila villages), Toundzha Hilly Country (Golyam Dervent and Valcha Polyana villages, Yambol district); up to 200 m alt.
General distribution. SE Europe, SW and C Asia, Caucasus.
Threats. The active tourism, grazing and ploughing for agricultural purposes in the area of distribution is the main danger for the destruction of the species population
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Some localities are within Pobiti Kamani Protected Site and in sites 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. Investigation of the threat factors, of the numerical strength and area of the populations, biology and ecology of the species, monitoring of the state of the populations. Collection of seeds for the National Seed Genebank of Bulgaria.
Note. There are many records from V. multifida due to the similarity with taxa from V. austriaca L. group.
References. Peev 1973; Peev 1995.
Authors: Dimitar Peev, Sonya Tsoneva
