Bruckenthalia spiculifolia

A calciphobic plant, growing in acidic soils (low pH), poor in calcium, mainly at higher altitudes in the northeastern part of Paggaio. It forms, with other species, small, low shrubland formations in the subalpine zone, at an altitude exceeding 1,600 m asl.

It forms large colonies on Mt. Paggaio. It is a tiny, evergreen plant, 15-20 cm tall, not particularly imposing. Its leaves look like needles and are densely arranged on the twigs. It stands out because of the reddish-pink flowers that form cylindrical or spherical inflorescences at the tops of the stems. The flower looks like a bell, from the center of which protrudes a portion of the female reproductive part (style). It flowers from July to September. It was first discovered in 1802 by the English botanist J. Sibthorp in Bithynia Olympus (Ulu Dağ) near Bursa, Turkey, as was another plant of mount Paggaio, Hypericum olympicum. The plant, which is now confined to the highlands of the Balkan Peninsula and through northern Anatolia to the borders of Russia and Ukraine, had a much larger distribution a few thousand years ago. According to research results, the presence of pollen in areas of Northern and Western Europe certifies its wider presence, up to the last glacial period. During glacial periods, plants like Bruckenthalia, native to Central and Northern Europe, “migrated” south in an effort to avoid harsh conditions and survive. After the withdrawal of ice, they could not “return” to the regions of Northern Europe, but were limited to small populations and to some areas where they could survive, such as Bruckenthalia in Paggaio.

Although not having a wide distribution in Paggaio, it occurs in large numbers, and is not collected by humans. No threat has been identified that would reduce its population or geographical spread.

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It is not subjected to any national or international conservation status.