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Creature Feature: The Buglosse Crépu
Image Source: Flickr.
The Buglosse Crépu (Anchusa crispa) is a critically endangered species and can only be found in 2 places: the French island of Corsica and the Italian island of Sardinia. Their habitat on both islands is limited to the sandy soils found along the upper part of beaches and covers an area less than 6 square miles (10 square km) on both islands combined. This little flower’s colors vary, depending on the age, and range from pale blue to blue-violet; size of the plant varies roughly between 4 and 14 inches (10 and 35 cm).
Unfortunately, this plant is on the decline and threats are coming from both humans and nature. Human construction and road work, mechanical beach cleaning, and other beach activities are all killing the Buglosse Crépu. Climate Change, severe storms and flooding are also taking their toll on this species.
The good news is this plant is at least legally protected in Corsica. The bad news is that all it takes is some excessive trampling to kill it off. To find out more about this species, check out these links:
The Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants (pdf file)
Arkive
Evidence for Local Outbreeding Depression in the Mediterranean Island Endemic Anchusa crispa Viv. (Boraginaceae)
By Heidi Marshall
Tags: buglosse crepu, buglosse crepue, Corsica, Creature Feature, critically endangered species, flower, France, Italy, Mediterranean, Sardinia, Top 50 Plants Campaign
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