Wulfen stone herb
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Wulfen stone herb ( Alyssum wulfenianum ) |
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| Alyssum wulfenianum | ||||||||||||
| Willd. |
The Wulfen stone herb ( Alyssum wulfenianum ) is a plant species from the cruciferous family (Brassicaceae) that only occurs in the border area between Italy and Carinthia . It is named after the Carinthian botanist Franz Xaver Freiherr von Wulfen .
features
The Wulfen Steinkraut is an evergreen, perennial plant, but relatively short-lived. It is a Pleiokorm perennial with approaches to cushion formation . It reaches heights of growth of 5 to 20 cm. The leaves are green and up to 3 cm long. The lower leaves are elliptical and gradually narrowed into the petiole.
The inflorescence is a raceme . The flowering period is from May to July.
The fruit is elliptical and 6 to 8 mm long without style. It is scattered with star hair, later then bald. Each fruit compartment contains two seeds that are 2.5 to 3 mm long.
The species is diploid , the number of chromosomes is 2n = 2x = 16.
Distribution and locations
The Wulfen Alyssum is a steno chorer endemic of the southeastern Limestone Alps. The main occurrence is in the Julian Alps : The area is very small, the main occurrence is in the western part of the Julian Alps in the area of the Raibl Pass (Cave de Predil) in Friuli . From here the species can be found in Carinthia along the Gailitz in the floodplain, and after the Gailitz estuary also in the floodplain of the Gail to the south of Villach .
The Wulfen stone herb occurs from 510 to 1500 m above sea level. It has its main occurrence on open and sparsely overgrown limestone rubble, in crevices and rock ledges of the montane elevation . In terms of plant sociology, this corresponds to the stipion calamagrostis , the montane, dry-warm limestone scree . Furthermore, the focus is on alluvial areas and pioneer locations along the named rivers, these are the only locations on Austrian territory. Minor deposits can be found in heavy metal corridors.
The Wulfen stone herb is considered to be a character species of the plant community Thlaspietum cepaeifolii , low-species, relatively heavy-metal-rich limestone scree slopes over Mesozoic limestone of the southeastern limestone Alps.
Hazard and protection
The species is on the Red Lists for Austria and Carinthia as threatened with extinction. It is completely protected in Carinthia. The endangerment is particularly due to the loss of habitat, which can be attributed to water regulations and the construction of landfills in the now abandoned lead-zinc smelter in Arnoldstein. The populations are now very small and therefore endangered. River construction and the use of hydropower lead, on the one hand, to the destruction of sites, and, on the other hand, they prevent the supply of diaspores from the main Italian deposits.
supporting documents
- M. Staudinger: Alyssum wulfenianum. In: Wolfgang Rabitsch, Franz Essl: Endemites - Treasures in Austria's flora and fauna . Natural Science Association for Carinthia and the Federal Environment Agency, Klagenfurt and Vienna 2009. ISBN 978-3-85328-049-2 , p. 92f.
- Manfred A. Fischer , Karl Oswald, Wolfgang Adler: Excursion flora for Austria, Liechtenstein and South Tyrol. 3rd, improved edition. State of Upper Austria, Biology Center of the Upper Austrian State Museums, Linz 2008, ISBN 978-3-85474-187-9 .
