Aethionema arabicum Andrz. ex DC (Cruciferae) in Bulgaria - in situ and ex situ conservation

Abstract

Aethionema arabicum Andrz. ex DC is extremely rare species of the Bulgarian flora. It is included in the Biological Diversity Act of Bulgaria and in the Red Book of Bulgaria with category Critically Endangered. The species is distributed in Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria and Turkey), Southwest Asia (Asia Minor, Syria, Northern Iran) and the Caucasus. The only population of A. arabicum known in Bulgaria is situated in Eastern Stara planina floristic region, near Sotirya village, Sliven district. The population consists of only a few dozen individuals. This study provides information on the biology and ecology of the species, its population structure and the measures taken to increase the population. Protected area was designated to preserve this species.

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