Verbascum spathulisepalum
Verbascum spathulisepalum Greuter & Rech. f.
Scrophulariaceae – Figwort family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ac(ii,iii,iv)+2ab(ii,iv)]. BDA. Balkan endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial with adventitious basal rosettes. Stem ca. 40 cm, branched above. Basal leaves with 1–8 cm long petioles, lamina 3–8 cm long, 1.5–4.0 cm wide, elliptical-ovate to rounded-ovate, entire, cuneate at base, denticulate. Cauline leaves with much shorter petioles, smaller, gradually changing into bracts. Inflorescence pyramidal panicle, consisting of one-sided dichasia with 2, rarely 3–4 flowers. Calyx 3–5 mm long, divided to 3/4 by scattered, branched hairs. Corolla 20–25 mm in diameter, bright yellow, glabrous on both sides. Stamens 5, filaments covered by purple papillae. Fl. VI–VI, fr. VII. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds and rhizome shoots.
Habitats and populations. In rock crevices and stony grassy places in scrubs and rare forests. Populations are small, with single individuals, rarely in small groups. Reproductive potential is relatively good.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (eastern – Dolno Lukovo village, Ivailovgrad region and Maglenishki Rid locality above Gorni Yurutsi village); at about 300 m alt.
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria and N Greece).
Threats. Grazing, afforestation, construction of roads for timber production and border protection; restricted distribution and low population density.
Conservation measures taken. The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. The localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the numerical strength and the size of the population, biology and ecology of the species, and the threatening factors; monitoring of the populations and collection of seeds for storage in relevant seed gene banks.
References. Stefanova 1984; Stefanova-Gateva 1992.
Author: Chavdar Gussev
