Planta Med 2011; 77 - PL74
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282723

High-mountain medicinal plants in Bulgaria – protection, phytotherapy, reproductive capacity and sustainable use

AA Vitkova 1, PD Yurukova 1, LN Evstatieva 1, DR Peev 1
  • 1Department of Plant and Fungal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Reseach, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Acad. G.Bonchev St., Bl.23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria

The object of this study are rare and endemic species of the Bulgarian flora: Alchemilla mollis (Buser) Rothm; A.jumrukczalica Pawł. (Bulgarian endemic); A.achtarowii Pawł. (Bulgarian endemic); Sideritis scardica Griseb. (Balkan endemic); Gentiana lutea L. ssp. symphyandra (Murb.) Hayek and Arnica montana L. The species are spreaded in the subalpine and alpine zones of the Bulgarian mountains. They are included in the List of protected species of the Biological Diversity Act and Red Book of R Bulgaria Vol. 1– Plants, excepting A. montana, reported to grow in the Rila Mt. [1], but so far its distribution has not been confirmed. In this study were used seeds of A. montana, originating from Ukraine and Germany.

The harvesting of plant material from the natural populations of the species is prohibited. At the same time they are widely applied in the medicine and phytotherapy. The plant material for the pharmaceutical industry and phytotherapy can be supply only by cultivation through conventional and biotechnological methods. These practices will ensure the sustainable use and conservation of the species.

The aim of the study is to reveal the reproductive capacity and opportunities for cultivation of the plants. With regard to this, we have carried out studies on the biological features of A. mollis [2], A. montana [3], reproductive biology and in vitro propagation of G. lutea [4] and A.montana. The results obtained demonstrate the real opportunities for growing the species in field conditions and provide the needed plant material for practical use.

Acknowledgement: The authors are grateful to the National Science Fund for the financial support of the study under the Contract DTK 02/38.

References: 1. Assyov B & Petrova A (eds) (2006) Conspectus of the Bulgarian vascular flora. Distribution Maps and Floristic Elements. Ed.3. Bulgarian Biodiverity Fundation, Sofia.

2. Vitkova A, Gavrilova A & Tashev A (2011) Phytol Balcan 17(1): 83–88.

3. Balabanova V & Vitkova A (2010) Compt Rend Acad Bulg Sci 63(2): 1301–1306.

4. Yankova E, Baldziev G, Petrova M, Zayova E & Yurukova P (2010) Biotechnol & Biotechnol EQ, Special edition/On line, 24(2): 45–48.