Unique plants from Romania (Part 7)

Draba is a large genus of cruciferous plants, commonly known as Whitlow-grasses. There are over 300 species. Flămânzica or drobiţa lui Dorner, Draba dorneri Heuff., is the first discovered Romanian endemic plant (Heuffel, 1858). Alpine–subalpine species, Draba dorneri is a glacial relict.

Spermatophyta
Angiospermae
Dicotyledoneae
Dialypetale
Roeadales
Cruciferae
Genus: Draba
Species: Draba dorneri


The plant is 3-15 cm high, almost woody at base, with branches finished in rosettes of leaves. The strain is unfolied or very rarely with 1-2 twigs without leaves. The leaves are oblong, attenuated to base, acute, entire or with 1-2 "teeth" at peak. Flowers are small, white. The fruit is elliptical, rounded at both ends, 4.5-6.7 mm long, 2-3 mm wide. The plant is near extincted, strictly protected (Council of Europe 1979) and grows in a small area (400 sqm!) in Retezat Mountains National Park.