PARASITIC PLANTS IN THE BULGARIAN FLORA

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to provide an inventory and characterization of the parasitic flora on the territory of Bulgaria. The study includes preparation of a list of parasitic plant species in Bulgaria, their classification, biological, phytogeographic characteristics and nature protection status. As a result of the study, 89 parasitic species were found (2.1% of the Bulgarian flora), belonging to 18 genera and 6 families of 1 class Magnoliopsida.  Of the families, the richest in species is the Scrophulariaceae family (42 species), and of the genera - the genus Orobanche (24 species). Herbaceus species (annual and perennial and their intermediate forms) predominate among biological types (94.4%), and the participation of shrubs is only 5.6%. Most of the established species (66.3%) are distributed in less than half of the floristic regions on the territory of the country, 16.9% of them occur limitedly in 1 or 2 regions. Seven of the studied species have nature protection status. The vertical distribution of species is as follows: in the range 0-500 m a.s.l. 65.2% of species occur; in the range 500-1000 m a.s.l. - 77.5%; 1001-1500 m a.s.l.-66.3%; 1501-2000 m a.s.l.-37.1%; 2001-2500 m.a.s.l.-16.9%; above 2500 m.a.s.l- 10.1%. Among the parasitic species, the floristic elements of the European type prevail, followed by the Eurasian and Mediterranean types. Regarding their classification, hemiparasites, generalists and root parasites predominate on the territory of the country.