Nature park Stranja: Flora

The specific climate of Strandja determines the characteristics of the vegetation that distinguish it from the European plant formations and make it resemble the Ponto-euxinic flora of the Caucasus. The westernmost remnants of this flora are in Strandja on the border of the Mediterranean and Central European vegetation. The flora of Strandja is a complex conglomeration of plant species of different origin, biological characteristics and evolution stage. They are of high nature conservation value. The Mediterranean and mostly the Caucasian influence give uniqueness to the forests in Strandja, which are mainly oak and eastern beech forests that cover about 80% of the park`s territory. Many of them are venerable, wild and have a composition and diversity untouched. A total of about 1665 plant species are established in Strandja– more than 47% of the vascular plant species in Bulgaria. The euxinic species give uniqueness to the flora of Strandja at a European level. Balkan, Euro–Asian, Central European, Ponto–Central Asian and other floral elements are also included in the vegetation cover. The endemic species are 56. 6 of them are local endemics – they can be found in Strandja only or along the western Black sea coast. The tertiary relicts are 63, 5 of which can not be found anywhere but in Europe. 3 species are globally threatened, 10 are endangered on a European scale and other 113 species are included in the Red Data book of Bulgaria. Rhododendron ponticum, Vaccinium arctostaphylos, Taxus baccata, Sideritis syriaca, Erica arborea, Anthemis jordanivii, Scilla bythynica, Quercus hartwissiana, Mespilus germanica, Calluna vulgaris, Fagus orientalis, Saponaria stranjensis, Cistus salvifolius, Daphne pontica, Pyracantha coccinea etc. are among the most interesting species. The plant diversity is amazing. 119 wild and semi-wild habitats are established to date. This probably puts the park in the first place in Europe.