Aquilegia blecicii explained

Aquilegia blecicii, common name Blečić's columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to the Balkans.

Description

The species grows to tall. It has one or two hairy stems bearing 2–6 bicoloured white and pale blue to violet flowers measuring in diameter, with straight spurs of in length, slightly curved at the end. The leaves are long, greyish and three-lobed, covered with soft hairs and measuring across.

Taxonomy

The plant's status as a separate species from Aquilegia nigricans is considered doubtfully valid by some authorities.

Etymology

The specific name blecicii honours the Montenegrin botanist Vilotije Blečić (19111981).

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to mountainous regions of Serbia, Kosovo, and Montenegro. It grows on humid mild limestone slopes ranging between the submontane and the subalpine belts, at altitudes of .

Ecology

Aquilegia blecicii plays an important role in its typical local plant community, which is dominated by herbaceous species such as the blue sow thistle Cicerbita pancicii, the herbaceous layer reaching in height and covering 95–100% of the ground. This plant community is found in areas with negligible human impact.

Conservation

The species is rated as Data deficient in the IUCN Red List, but is nationally protected in Serbia and Kosovo.