Rila Monastery Nature Park Management Plan - part - usaid

February 2004
The populations of Rheum rhaponticum, Pulsatilla vernalis and Rhodiola rosea, as
well as some other species of high conservation significance, are located in the subalpine
zone, at altitudes above 1,500 m.
Medicinal plant resources
Based on an estimation of their available resources, medicinal plants in RMNP can be
divided into four groups:
Group I
This group comprises medicinal plant species of high conservation significance:
Subgroup A. Medicinal plant species protected under the Nature Protection Act: Six
species belonging to this group are listed in Annex # 3 of the Medicinal Plants Act:
Gentiana lutea, Gentiana punctata, Taxus baccata, Pulsatilla vernalis, Rheum
rhaponticum, and Rhodiola rosea. The first two species are well represented and
cover large areas throughout the park. The rest are limited due to scarcity of
populations.
Subgroup B. Medicinal plant species placed under special conservation and utilization
regime – 14 such species in all: Alchemilla vulgaris complex, Angelica pancicii,
Asplenium trichomanes, Atropa belladonna, Carlina acanthypholia, Cetraria
islandica, Galium odoratum, Primula veris, Sedum acre, Valeriana officinalis,
Betonica officinalis, Arctostaphyllos uva ursi, Huperzia selago, and Lycopodium
clavatum. Of these, Angelica pancicii and Atropa belladona are listed in the Red
Book of Bulgaria, while the medicinal cowslip (Primula veris L.) is also included in
Annex # 4 of the Biodiversity Act regarding wildlife species subject to protection and
regulated use.
Of the species listed above, Alchemilla vulgaris complex and Angelica pancicii are
widespread throughout the park and form considerable resources, while the rest are
more sparse and are not significant resources.
Group II
This group comprises 16 species of medicinal plants, all covering wide ranges and
forming very good resources (Appendix 16). The group includes various forest fruits,
like blueberries (Vaccinium sp.), raspberries (Rubus idaeus), hips (Rosa canina) a.o.,
as well as ruderal plants such as Rumex alpinus, Tanacetum vulgare, Urtica dioica,
Veratrum lobelianum, a.o.
Group III
This group comprises 18 species of medicinal plants, each represented by several
populations covering larger areas. However, the estimated total resources of these are
relatively small, therefore they are of low resource significance.
Rila Monastery Nature Park
Management Plan -Draft
2004 - 2013
63