Viola parvula
Viola parvula Tineo
Violaceae – Violet family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(ii); C2a(ii)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Annual, villous at least on the stem, stipules and petioles. Stems 2–7 (20) cm high. Leaves simple, alternate, 0.5–2 cm long, almost entire; lowermost oblong-orbicular, the others oblong-spathulate. Flowers solitary, axillary, about 0.5 cm. Corolla creamy white, rarely upper petals violet. Capsule ovoid. Seeds brown, oblong-ovate. Fl. IV–V, fr. V. Self-pollinated. Reproduction by seeds dispersed by wind.
Habitats and populations. Grows in small groups in open grasslands in Pashovi Skali Nature Monument. The total distribution area of the species in the country is less than 100 m2. The locality is situated on a rocky massif of South Bulgarian granite, with southern and southeastern exposition, on lithosols or dry, poor and shallow forest soil. A number of endemic species such as Genista rumelica, Anthemis orbelica, Sempervivum erythraeum, Sedum kostovii, S. stefco, and Campanula lanata grow in close proximity. The population is small, with not more than 300 individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (western – Pashovi Skali locality); at 1350 m alt.
General distribution. Southern Europe, Cyprus, Corsica, Sicily, Anatolia, W Syria, NW Africa.
Threats. Very limited distribution area in Bulgaria; low number of individuals; grazing by domestic animals; tourism activities within Pashovi Skali Nature Monument.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species under the national Biodiversity Act. The locality falls within a protected territory (Nature Monument).
Conservation measures needed. Studies on the species’ reproductive biology and possibilities for ex situ cultivation; fencing of the locality and limiting access by tourists; change of the category of the protected territory to a Protected Site.
References. Tashev 2003, 2005.
Author: Alexandur Tashev
