Pulsatilla vernalis (L.) Mill.

Berisha, Naim, Millaku, Fadil & Krasniqi, Elez, 2025, Notes on the genus Pulsatilla (Ranunculaceae) in Kosovo – Southeast Europe, Plant Ecology and Evolution 158 (3), pp. 418-427 : 418-427

4. Pulsatilla vernalis (L.) Mill. ( Miller 1768: 934)

Figs 1 D , 2

Anemone vernalis L. ( Linnaeus 1753: 538)

Anemone sulphurea L. ( Linnaeus 1767: 78)

Description

Pulsatilla vernalis is a low-growing perennial herb that is easily recognized by its early spring flowering and bell-shaped single flowers. Initially, the flowers are whitish or pale purple on the inside and densely covered with long, silky hairs on the outside. With increasing age, they turn a bluish to purple colour. The deeply dissected basal leaves usually appear after flowering.

Distribution and habitat

Ecologically, it is native to subalpine to alpine zones and thrives in acidic, nutrient-poor grasslands, heathlands, and alpine meadows. It prefers well-drained, siliceous soils on open, sunny slopes near or above the tree line. It is well adapted to the harsh climate and short growing seasons and flowers soon after the snow melts ( Ronikier et al. 2008; Nikolić 2020). In terms of distribution, P. vernalis is widespread in Central and Northern Europe, ranging from the Alps and Carpathians to the Scandinavian mountains. It also occurs sporadically on the Balkan Peninsula ( Dakskobler et al. 2008), but is generally considered rare and localised there. Due to habitat loss, climate change, and changes in land use, the species is considered threatened or declining in several parts of its range in Europe ( IUCN 2014; Scheuerer 2020). In Kosovo, the taxon has been recorded in the subalpine to alpine silicate grasslands and heathlands, just near the treeline up to the alpine grasslands.

Material examined

KOSOVO – Albanian Alps of Kosovo • Gjeravicë ; 2000 m; 14 May 1991; fl.; F. Rexhepi 014-001577; UPH • Gjeravicë ; 42.536306°N, 20.141675°E; 2421 m; 27 May 2000; fl.; F. Millaku 017-001805; UPH • Gjeravicë ; 42.535351°N, 20.131184°E; 2319 m; 2 Jun. 2011; fl.; F. Millaku & F. Rexhepi 017-001802; UPH • Dervishkom ; 42.554071°N, 20.131209°E; 2039 m; 28 Apr. 2011; fl.; F. Millaku 017-001806; UPH • Pllaqicë e Junikut ; 2100 m; 17 May 2012; fl.; F. Millaku 017-001807; UPH • Roshkodol ; 42.627432°N, 20.091094°E; 2027 m; 2 Jun. 2020; fl.; N. Berisha 018-002765; UPH • Gjeravicë ; 42.526505°N, 20.133597°E; 2228 m; 27 May 2021; fl.; N. Berisha 018-002766; UPH • Bjeshka e Dobroshit ; 42.559409°N, 20.088129°E; 2041 m; 19 May 2024; fl.; N. Berisha 018-002767; UPH • Bjeshka e Strellcit ; 42.592660°N, 20.224720°E; 2057 m; 28 May 2024; fl.; N. Berisha 018-002768; UPH • Marjash ; 42.608648°N, 20.093401°E; 2294 m; 1 Jun. 2025; fl.; N. Berisha 018-002769; UPH . – Sharri Mts • Guri i Dhive ; 42.071823°N, 20.770572°E; 2100 m; 20 May 1993; fl.; F. Rexhepi 014-001580; UPH • Guri i Zi ; 2100 m; 29 May 1990; fl.; F. Rexhepi 014-001581; UPH .

Figures

Figure 1. A. Pulsatilla alpina subsp. apiifolia. B. P. halleri subsp. rhodopaea. C. P. montana subsp. jankae. D. P. vernalis. Photos by Fadil Millaku (A), Naim Berisha (B, D), and Elez Krasniqi (C).

Figure 2. Map showing the distribution of all confirmed taxa of the genus Pulsatilla in Kosovo.