Distribution of the species
It is a rare legume that occurs locally in the mountains of Parnassos, Giona, Kissavos, Athos, Paggaio, Menoikio, Orvilos and Falakro. Its global distribution includes the Eastern Alps and mountains of the Balkan Peninsula. On Mt. Paggaio, it has been recorded at altitudes higher than 1,600 m asl. and up to the highest peaks of the mountain. At specific sites, it can be relatively common, although it is usually found in isolated individuals.
Description of the species (biological and ecological features)
No particularly large population of this species has been recorded on Mt. Paggaio. It is a perennial plant with woody stems. Its leaves are compound, consisting of numerous leaflets, small, elliptical or oblong and hairy, on both surfaces. The flowering stems are erect and have flowers at their top, clustered in dense groups called heads. The corolla is about 1 cm long, red to purple in color. Its fruit is typical bean-shaped, called legume, 5 mm in length. The species belongs to the legume family, which includes many edible and forage species (e.g., bean, pea, clover). All species of the family form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and thus enrich the soil with nitrogen, thus improving soil fertility. This species grows in rocky or stony sites at high altitudes, and in subalpine grasslands, at altitudes from 1,600 to 2,250 m asl. It is found exclusively in limestone, while we will see it flowering in summer, during June and July.
Although the population of the species on Mt. Paggaio is not very large, it is not threatened by anthropogenic or other factors. As a forage plant species, it could potentially be damaged and restricted by overgrazing, which however has not been observed so far.
Conservation status
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Conservation state
It is not subjected to any national or international conservation status.