Pulsatilla halleri subsp. rhodopaea (Stoj. & Stef.) K. Krause, 1958

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

2. Pulsatilla halleri subsp. rhodopaea (Stoj. & Stef.) K. Krause ( Krause 1958: 44)

Figs 1 B , 2

Anemone rhodopaea (Stoj. & Stef.) Stoj. & Stef. ( Stojanov and Stefanov 1948: 452)

Pulsatilla vulgaris var. velezensis Beck ( Beck 1909: 162)

Pulsatilla halleri subsp. macedonica K. Krause ( Krause 1958: 43)

Pulsatilla montana subsp. olympica Voliotis ( Voliotis 1988: 88)

Description

Pulsatilla halleri Willd. is represented in Kosovo only by P. halleri subsp. rhodopaea . It is a low-growing perennial herb that rarely grows more than 5 cm tall when in flower. It is characterised by densely lanceolate basal leaves with typically five primary divisions, which are often petiolate. The leaf blades have a high number of lobes (50–100), which distinguishes it from other subspecies. The entire plant is usually covered with a dense silvery indumentum ( Aichele and Schwegleb 1957; Jordanov and Kozhuharov 1970; Tutin et al. 1993; Tashev 2008).

Distribution and habitat

Pulsatilla halleri subsp. rhodopaea is a high-mountain specialist, occurring principally on calcareous substrates in the subalpine to lower alpine zones ( 1200–2000 m a. s. l.). It is typically found in open limestone grasslands, rocky ledges, and crevices. The plants form small, densely lanate cushions that protect meristematic tissues from frost and desiccation. Flowering occurs in early to mid spring when snowbanks melt, ensuring access to early pollinators in otherwise sparse alpine communities ( Jordanov and Kozhuharov 1970; Tutin et al. 1993). In Kosovo, the taxon has been recorded in the subalpine calcareous grasslands of Mt Pashtrik and Mt Koritnik, where it exhibits the same ecological preferences and morphological features described throughout its range (Fig. 2 ). As a species, Pulsatilla halleri was first recorded in Kosovo from Mt Pashtrik by Wraber (1987), and subsequently confirmed from Mt Koritnik by Hashani and Shuka (2013). These two neighbouring mountain massifs are separated by the river Drini i Bardhë. The population on Mt Pashtrik occupies a wider area and comprises a significantly higher number of individuals (Table 1 ), in contrast to the very limited and spatially restricted population observed on Mt Koritnik. However, a recent taxonomic work ( Niketić et al. 2023) has expressed doubts about the identity of the Balkan populations traditionally referred to P. halleri subsp. rhodopaea , noting that the type specimen resembles P. montana . This emphasises the need for further research to clarify the taxonomic position of these populations.

Material examined

KOSOVO • Pashtrik Mt ; 42.210445°N, 20.541290°E; 1517 m; 6 Apr. 2014; fl.; E. Krasniqi 018-002392; UPH • Pashtrik Mt ; 42.210355°N, 20.534988°E; 1675 m; 29 Mar. 2024; fl.; F. Millaku & N. Berisha 020-002758; UPH • Pashtrik Mt ; 42.211193°N, 20.529358°E; 1831 m; 2 Jul. 2025; fr.; N. Berisha 020-002759; UPH • Koritnik Mt ; 42.091910°N, 20.580527°E; 2057 m; 2 May 2025; fl.; E. Krasniqi & N. Berisha 020-002760; 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.