Bulgarian Nature - Flora
Balkan Mountain (Stara Planina) Flora 
The flora of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) is extremely rich
and varied with approximately 1900 species and sub-species of higher
plants found growing in the 'Central Balkan' National Park alone.
Of all the Bulgarian mountains, the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina)
are the richest in endemic plant species. Over 90 Bulgarian endemic
species and subspecies occur in the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina).
More than 20 of these plants are local endemics restricted to the
Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina). Among the plants endemic to the
Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) are the 'Balkan Mountain Primrose'
(Primula frondosa) and 'Balkan Mountain Violet' (Viola
balcanica). |
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Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountain Flora 
The flora of the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains is exceptionally rich
with over 2000 species and sub-species of higher plants, which represents
over 50% of the entire Bulgarian flora and makes it one of the most
important floristic regions on the Balkan Peninsula. Here one finds
an interesting mix of Central European, Boreal, Alpine and Mediterranean
species. In terms of the Bulgarian endemic flora, the Rhodope (Rodopi)
Mountains rank second in the number of endemics. Over 80 Bulgarian
endemic species and subspecies are found in the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains.
Of these 7 are local endemics found only in the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains.
Among the plants endemic to the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains are 'Rhodope
Lily' (Lilium rhodopaeum) and 'Rhodope Scabious' (Scabiosa
rhodopensis). |
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Pirin Mountain Flora 
The flora of the Pirin Planina comprises an interesting mixture of
species due to the strong influence of the Mediterranean climate that
penetrates the mountain and the juxtaposition of limestone and siliceous
terrain. With the boundaries of the 'Pirin' National Park alone, some
1315 species of vascular plant have been recorded. In terms of the
Bulgarian endemic flora, the Pirin Mountains rank third. Indeed the
northern part of Pirin Mountains is one of the most important centres
of speciation in Bulgaria. Over 70 endemic species and subspecies
have been recorded in the Pirin Mountains. More than 30 of these are
local endemics restricted to the Pirin Mountain region. Among the
plants endemic are the 'Pirin Poppy' (Papaver degenii) and
'Pirin Cabbage' (Brassica jordanoffii). |
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Rila Mountain Flora 
The flora of the Rila Mountains is dominated by a mixture of typical
Eurasian and Central European species, along with an interesting assortment
of relict and endemic species. The richness of the Rila Mountain's
flora can be judged by from the fact that approximately 1400 species
of vascular plant have been found growing within the 'Rila' National
Park alone. In terms of the Bulgaria endemic flora, the Rila Mountains
rank fourth. About 50 Bulgarian endemic species and subspecies have
been found in the Rila Mountains, most of which are glacial relicts
and distributed in the sub-alpine and alpine zones. There are 10 local
endemics, plants whose distribution is confined to the Rila Mountains
including the 'Rila Primrose' (Primula deorum). |
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Black Sea Coast Flora 
The flora of Bulgaria's Black Sea coastal region is of great interest, for putting in an
appearance here is a rich assortment of species from very different floristic regions.
Bulgaria's southern Black Sea coastline is characterized by many Mediterranean and Anatolian species,
whilst further north one finds an ever-increasing number of Dacian, Pannonian, Pontic, Crimean and
Caucasian species. Along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast one finds an ever-changing variety of habitats,
with a unique mix of plant communities and associations. Here there are rocky cliffs and capes, a
variety of wetlands such as lakes, lagoons and marshes, as well as lush river valleys with
well-developed riparian vegetation, including some unique 'longos' (longoza) flood forests along
the valleys of the Ropotamo and Kamchiya (Kamchia). Also of great interest but critically
threatened by the massive over-development of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, are the rare
plant communities and associations found on the sandy beaches and shifting dunes,
as well as on the last surviving remnants of stony steppes, grass-steppes and steppe-woodlands
of the Dobrudzha (Dobrogea), which can be seen in the region north of Cape Kaliakra towards the
Romanian border.
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