Article

Cirsium eriophorum is reported for the first time to the Bulgarian flora. It was found in the Eastern Rhodope Mts, south of Strazhets village (Krumovgrad District), in the area of Mount Golata Chuka, adjacent to the Bulgarian-Greek border. The species occurs in middle high mountain pastures, in open Fagus sylvatica forests and along forest roads, mainly on serpentine substrates, at 900–1200 m altitude. The recorded localities are the southeasternmost limit of the species range in Europe. The article presents data on distribution, habitats and population of Cirsium eriophorum in Bulgaria. A brief review of the key features of Bulgarian representatives of Cirsium sect. Eriolepis is provided. The recently published phylogeny of Cirsium concerning the restoration of genera Lophiolepis and Epitrachys is also commented on.