Distribution of the species
It is located in the highland and sub-alpine zone of the mountain, in crevices and cracks of limestone rocks, but also in other rocky habitats and boulders (saras). It blooms from May to July, depending on the altitude. It usually appears at altitudes above 1,500 m asl., although it can also appear lower.
Description of the species (biological and ecological features)
In places with suitable conditions, a significant number of individuals can be recorded. Evergreen perennial chasmophyte, 5-15 cm tall, with many rosettes and an erect stem, which is densely glandular. The leaves of the base form a dense rosette, are lanceolate, pointed, smooth, flat and have white spots on the upper and longer lengths of their edges (from the calcium carbonate they secrete). The edges in the lower part of the leaf have eyelashes. The shape of the leaves of the flowering stem is different, looking like tongues with glands. The flowers, arranged in 7-20 batches along the stem in the upper part, are deep red, with glandular hairs and small peduncles, not branching. It prefers shady places, not only in cracks and crevices of rocks but also in stony places. To withstand the adverse conditions of the extreme environments that it grows, it has endurance mechanisms. As the growing season is limited to a few months in the summer, its evergreen character helps it to start photosynthesis immediately, as soon as the conditions become favorable. The red color of the leaves of the shoot protects it from the ultraviolet radiation of the sun, and at the same time they absorb more heat (compared to the green leaves). The thickness of the base leaves, their placement in a rosette, the glands of the stem and flowers, are characteristics that help it to face water losses as the intense sunshine and often the lack of rainfall, create severe drought conditions.
Although it occurs at high altitudes and therefore the area in where it is found is relatively limited, the species does not appear to be threatened by any factors. Construction of roads in the sub-alpine zone or other projects that would reduce the rocky places (e.g., wind turbines) could reduce the size of its population.
Conservation status
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Conservation state
It is not subjected to any national or international conservation status.