Globularia cordifolia

It is has been observed in the upper zone of the mountain, in particular at altitudes higher than 1,250 m asl. As a species that occurs in grasslands and rocky places, one can find it in openings of beech forests, stony slopes, stony shrublands, and subalpine grasslands.

Species quite common in the upper altitude zone of the mountain. Its total population is of satisfactory size. It is a shrub species, which forms a carpet (caespitose) with stems 1-12 cm high. The leaves form a rosette at the base of its stems, are up to 6 cm long, oblanceolate to obovate-spathulate. The flowers are forming characteristic clusters, called heads. The corolla is blue to bluish-violet, 2-lipped, with the upper lip further divided into two lobes, while the lower divided into three. The anthers are similar in color to the corolla. Both the genus (Globularia) and the species name (cordifolia) imply morphological characteristics of the species. The name of the genus comes from the Latin word globus which means sphere and is related to the shape of the inflorescence, while the species name (cordifolia) comes from a combination of the Latin words córdis and folium meaning heart and leaf, respectively. All species of the genus are important ornamental plants, extensively used in rock gardens. It is found in dry, grassy and stony places, in rocky crevices, usually in limestone. Although it usually occurs at altitudes from 1,000 m to 2,500 m asl., it can be found up to an altitude of 2,900 m or lower up to 500 m. It flowers from May to August, depending on the altitude.

Due to its relatively wide distribution on Mt. Paggaio, no particular threats and pressures, which would lead to a significant reduction in its population, were observed.

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