Pulsatilla alpina subsp. apiifolia (Scop.) Nyman, 1878

Berisha, Naim, Millaku, Fadil & Krasniqi, Elez, 2025, Notes on the genus Pulsatilla (Ranunculaceae) in Kosovo – Southeast Europe, Plant Ecology and Evolution 158 (3), pp. 418-427 : 418-427

1. Pulsatilla alpina subsp. apiifolia (Scop.) Nyman ( Nyman 1878: 2)

Figs 1 A , 2

Anemone apiifolia Scop. ( Scopoli 1771: 385)

Pulsatilla apiifolia (Scop.) Chaz. ( Chazelles de Prizy 1790: 326)

Anemone alpina subsp. apiifolia (Scop.) O. Bolòs & Vigo ( Bolòs and Vigo 1974: 65)

Description

Pulsatilla alpina (L.) Delarbre is represented in Kosovo only by P. alpina subsp. apiifolia . It is a perennial herbaceous plant characterised by its finely divided basal leaves, which resemble those of Apium L., distinguishing it from the other subspecies of P. alpina .

Distribution and habitat

This taxon occurs mainly in the alpine regions of Central Europe, with its distribution area extending across the Eastern Alps and parts of the Balkans. It inhabits alpine zones, typically at elevations of around 1,200 to 2,800 m a. s. l. ( Moser 2003; Aeschimann et al. 2004). Habitat preferences include calcareous soils on grassy slopes, alpine meadows, rocks and open scrub, often in areas with good drainage and strong sunlight. Although the species is generally not considered threatened in its core alpine range, some local populations may come under pressure from climate change, habitat disturbance and tourism-related impacts in sensitive mountain ecosystems ( Lauber et al. 2018). In Kosovo, the species inhabits similar habitats and is listed as an endangered taxon ( Millaku et al. 2013). It is distributed only in the Albanian Alps of Kosovo, within the Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park (Fig. 2 ) ( Rexhepi 1986; Diklić 1992; Millaku et al. 2013).

Material examined

KOSOVO – Albanian Alps of Kosovo • Gjeravicë ; 2410 m; 27 Apr. 1988; fl.; F. Rexhepi 014-001571; UPH • Gjeravicë ; 42.530223°N, 20.138315°E; 2364 m; 19 Apr. 2011; fl.; F. Millaku 017-001798; UPH • Dervish Kom ; 42.558085°N, 20.137589°E; 2115 m; fl.; 2 May 2022; F. Millaku 017-001799; UPH • Pllaçicë e Junikut ; 42.550766°N, 20.131977°E; 2027 m; 29 Apr. 2005; fl.; F. Rexhepi 014-001572; UPH • Kurvallë ; 2209 m; 7 May 2000; fl.; F. Millaku 017-001800; UPH .

Figures

Figure 1. A. Pulsatilla alpina subsp. apiifolia. B. P. halleri subsp. rhodopaea. C. P. montana subsp. jankae. D. P. vernalis. Photos by Fadil Millaku (A), Naim Berisha (B, D), and Elez Krasniqi (C).

Figure 2. Map showing the distribution of all confirmed taxa of the genus Pulsatilla in Kosovo.