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| Latin name: |
Brimeura
duvigneaudii
(L. Llorens) Rosselló, Mus & Mayol |
| Common name: | none |
| Family: | Hyacinthaceae (hyacinth family) |
| Status: | CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR) |
Where is it found?
Endemic to Majorca, this species only occurs in very small numbers at three localities. It grows in limestone rock crevices and slopes near the sea at an altitude of approximately 150-250 m. It thrives in hot, sunny places.
 
The Island of Majorca
How to recognise it
This plant is small and inconspicuous, not exceeding 10 cm in height. Its grass-like, ribbed, linear leaves are about 3 mm wide and triangular in cross-section. The one-sided inflorescences are composed of two to five (rarely seven) flowers with pink corollas (never blue like those of its close relative Brimeura amethystina). The best way to tell this species apart from the closely related Brimeura fastigiata is that the lobes of the flower are shorter than its tube.
Interesting facts
The above-ground parts of the plant die back in summer when it is hottest and driest. Only one population has so far been observed producing seeds; all others seem to reproduce asexually by bulb division. Brimeura duvigneaudii is considered to be a relict species, a remainder from a once larger group that, in the course of climatic change, has nearly disappeared over the millennia. These remnant populations may have difficulties coping with today's climate.
Why is it threatened?
This species has been categorized CR (Critically Endangered) according to IUCN Red List Criteria B1ab(iv,v)+2ab(iv,v); C2a(i). This means that it only occurs in three fragmented localities, and that the populations are small, declining, and are estimated to have no more than 50 mature individuals each (although estimates are difficult given the plant's inconspicuous habit). One population has nearly disappeared. The area of occurrence of 7.5 km2 is small enough to make this species vulnerable even to extreme natural events, such as fires. The species also faces recruitment problems, possibly due to climate.
What is being done to protect it?
Legally: On a regional level, the habitat is protected as a Natural Site of Special Interest by law 1/1991 of the Parliament of the Balearic Islands. It is listed in the Red List of the Spanish vascular flora (Lista Roja de la flora vascular española) as well as in the Spanish Red Book (Atlas y Libro Rojo de la flora vascular amenazada de España), although this does not confer any specific legal protection. The species itself is listed in the catalogue of threatened species of the Balearic Islands (Catálogo Nacional de especies amenazadas, CNEA).
In situ: No measures taken yet.
Ex situ: No measures taken yet.
What conservation actions are needed?
It is necessary to undertake a careful search for other populations of Brimeura duvigneaudii, which may be easily overlooked due to its minute size. A substantial increase in monitoring is needed to understand the population dynamics and reproductive behaviour of this species. Agricultural fires that are set to provide grazing for sheep should not be allowed in the area where Brimeura grows. Cultivation of this species in a botanical garden would be useful.
Scientific coordination
Dr Gabriel Bibiloni, Dpto. Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Dr Maurici Mus, Dpto. Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
References
Almeida Da Silva (1998);
Almeida Da Silva et al. (2001);
Alomar et al. (1997);
Amengual, J. 1992;
Anonymous (1993);
Bañares et al. (2003);
Bibiloni et al. (1989);
Llorens (1984);
Rosselló et al. (1992).
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