Botany guide · Romania

Flora of Dobrogea —
Interactive Plant Checklist

Dobrogea stands apart from the rest of Romania. Its Pontic steppe grasslands, ancient Hercynian geology and warm, sub-Mediterranean climate create conditions found nowhere else in the country. The Măcin Mountains — among the oldest in Europe — support endemic plants on rocky outcrops above dry grasslands, while the coastal fringe harbours halophytic marshes and sand dune specialists.

This checklist brings together 120 vascular plant species characteristic of Dobrogea's key habitats, all associated with Natura 2000 habitat types. Filters allow exploration by habitat, endemism status and protection level.

120Species listed

7Endemic / SE European

38Protected or rare

Habitats and botanical regions

Dobrogea's flora reflects a gradient from continental steppe in the interior to maritime influence along the Black Sea coast. The Babadag Plateau and Măcin Mountains host the richest concentrations of steppe and rocky grassland species, including several narrow endemics. Lower elevations transition into thermophilous forests with sub-Mediterranean elements. The littoral zone — from the Danube Delta fringe through coastal lagoons to sandy shores — supports halophytic communities and dune vegetation of high conservation value.

Notable species

Dianthus nardiformis — pink carnation on rocky steppe

Paeonia peregrina — wild red peony in oak forest

Convolvulus persicus — white flowers on coastal sand

Periploca graeca — silk vine twining on shrubs

Scutellaria orientalis — yellow skullcap on rocky steppe

Limodorum abortivum — violet ghost orchid in shade

Using the interactive checklist

The table can be filtered by habitat type (steppe, rocky, forest, wetland, halophytic, coastal), endemism level (endemic, SE European, regional) and protection status (protected, rare, common). This structure helps botanists, wildlife tour participants and nature photographers identify species characteristic of different Dobrogea habitats.

Interactive Flora Checklist — Dobrogea, Romania

Complete checklist of 120 species from Natura 2000 habitats in Dobrogea — filter by habitat, endemism or protection status.

Showing 120 of 120 species

#	Scientific Name	Primary Habitat	Habitat Type	Endemism	Protection	N2K
1	Campanula romanica	Măcin Mountains	Rocky steppe	Endemic	Protected	✓
2	Ferula mikraskythiana	Dobrogea	Rocky slopes	Endemic	Protected	✓
3	Euphorbia dobrogensis	Dobrogea	Steppe	Endemic	Rare	✓
4	Paeonia tenuifolia	Pontic steppe	Steppe	Regional	Protected	✓
5	Stipa capillata	Dry grasslands	Steppe	—	Common	✓
6	Stipa ucrainica	Dry grasslands	Steppe	Regional	Rare	✓
7	Stipa lessingiana	Dry grasslands	Steppe	Regional	Rare	✓
8	Festuca valesiaca	Xeric grasslands	Steppe	—	Common	✓
9	Koeleria lobata	Dry slopes	Steppe	Regional	Rare	✓
10	Bothriochloa ischaemum	Dry slopes	Steppe	—	Common	✓
11	Dichanthium ischaemum	Dry slopes	Steppe	—	Common	✓
12	Astragalus ponticus	Dry slopes	Steppe	Regional	Rare	✓
13	Astragalus glaucus	Dry slopes	Steppe	Regional	Rare	✓
14	Salvia nutans	Steppe	Steppe	Regional	Common	✓
15	Adonis vernalis	Steppe	Steppe	Regional	Protected	✓
16	Pulsatilla pratensis	Steppe	Steppe	Regional	Protected	✓
17	Himantoglossum caprinum	Steppe	Orchid grassland	Regional	Protected	✓
18	Ophrys oestrifera	Steppe	Orchid grassland	Regional	Protected	��
19	Neotinea tridentata	Steppe	Orchid grassland	Regional	Protected	✓
20	Dianthus nardiformis	Rocky slopes	Rocky steppe	Regional	Rare	✓
21	Moehringia jankae	Măcin	Rocky outcrops	SE European	Protected	✓
22	Moehringia grisebachii	Măcin	Rocky outcrops	SE European	Rare	✓
23	Silene cserei	Rocky habitats	Rocky steppe	SE European	Rare	✓
24	Ephedra distachya	Sandy soils	Steppe	Regional	Rare	✓
25	Achillea clypeolata	Rocky slopes	Rocky steppe	Regional	Common	✓
26	Asphodeline lutea	Rocky slopes	Rocky steppe	Regional	Rare	✓
27	Quercus pubescens	Thermophilous forest	Forest	—	Common	✓
28	Quercus frainetto	Silvosteppe	Forest	Regional	Common	✓
29	Quercus cerris	Thermophilous forest	Forest	Regional	Common	✓
30	Carpinus orientalis	Dry forests	Forest	Regional	Common	✓
31	Tilia tomentosa	Forest	Forest	Regional	Common	✓
32	Fraxinus ornus	Thermophilous forest	Forest	Regional	Common	✓
33	Acer tataricum	Forest margin	Forest	Regional	Common	✓
34	Paliurus spina-christi	Forest margin	Shrubland	Regional	Rare	✓
35	Jasminum fruticans	Forest margin	Shrubland	Regional	Rare	✓
36	Cotinus coggygria	Forest margin	Shrubland	Regional	Common	✓
37	Eryngium maritimum	Coastal dunes	Coastal dune	Regional	Protected	✓
38	Alyssum borzaeanum	Coastal dunes	Coastal dune	SE European	Protected	✓
39	Crambe maritima	Littoral	Coastal	Regional	Rare	✓
40	Convolvulus persicus	Coastal sands	Coastal dune	Regional	Rare	✓
41	Limonium gmelinii	Salt marsh	Halophytic	Regional	Rare	✓
42	Salicornia europaea	Salt marsh	Halophytic	—	Common	✓
43	Suaeda maritima	Salt marsh	Halophytic	—	Common	✓
44	Puccinellia distans	Salt marsh	Halophytic	—	Common	✓
45	Plantago maritima	Salt marsh	Halophytic	Regional	Rare	✓
46	Phragmites australis	Reed beds	Wetland	—	Common	✓
47	Typha latifolia	Wetland	Wetland	—	Common	✓
48	Typha angustifolia	Wetland	Wetland	—	Common	✓
49	Nymphaea alba	Lakes	Wetland	—	Protected	✓
50	Nuphar lutea	Lakes	Wetland	—	Protected	✓
51	Trapa natans	Slow waters	Wetland	—	Protected	✓
52	Hydrocharis morsus-ranae	Wetland	Wetland	—	Rare	✓
53	Butomus umbellatus	Wetland	Wetland	—	Common	✓
54	Alisma plantago-aquatica	Wetland	Wetland	—	Common	✓
55	Dactylorhiza incarnata	Wet meadow	Wetland	—	Protected	✓
56	Platanthera chlorantha	Forest	Orchid forest	—	Protected	✓
57	Cephalanthera damasonium	Forest	Orchid forest	—	Protected	✓
58	Orchis purpurea	Forest	Orchid forest	—	Protected	✓
59	Orchis simia	Forest	Orchid forest	Regional	Protected	✓
60	Anacamptis morio	Grassland	Orchid grassland	—	Protected	✓
61	Galatella villosa	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
62	Scorzonera hispanica	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
63	Linum austriacum	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
64	Linum flavum	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
65	Gypsophila paniculata	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
66	Onosma arenaria	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
67	Verbascum phoeniceum	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
68	Echinops ruthenicus	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
69	Helichrysum arenarium	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
70	Artemisia austriaca	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
71	Centaurea jankae	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
72	Centaurea gracilenta	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
73	Allium flavum	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
74	Allium guttatum	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
75	Allium saxatile	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
76	Gagea bulbifera	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
77	Gagea szovitzii	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
78	Scilla bifolia	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
79	Berberis vulgaris	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
80	Cornus mas	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
81	Viburnum lantana	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
82	Crataegus monogyna	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
83	Prunus spinosa	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
84	Rosa canina	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
85	Populus alba	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
86	Salix alba	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
87	Salix fragilis	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
88	Carex distans	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
89	Carex melanostachya	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
90	Juncus maritimus	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
91	Schoenoplectus lacustris	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
92	Bolboschoenus maritimus	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
93	Atriplex tatarica	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
94	Chenopodium album	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
95	Polygonum aviculare	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
96	Rumex acetosa	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
97	Rumex crispus	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
98	Plantago lanceolata	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
99	Saponaria officinalis	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
100	Hypericum perforatum	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
101	Daucus carota	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
102	Thalictrum minus	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
103	Adonis flammea	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
104	Potentilla recta	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
105	Minuartia mesogitana	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
106	Sedum hillebrandtii	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
107	Teucrium chamaedris	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
108	Vinca herbacea	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
109	Salvia ringens	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
110	Pimpinella tragium	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
111	Aurinia saxatilis	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
112	Hieracium echioides	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
113	Bromus squarrosus	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
114	Poa bulbosa	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
115	Carex humilis	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
116	Avena barbata	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
117	Artemisia santonicum	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
118	Limonium meyeri	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
119	Salicornia perennans	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓
120	Spergularia marina	Dobrogea	Steppe	—	Common	✓

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Rocky steppe · Măcin Mountains

Măcin Mountains — endemics and steppe relicts

The Măcin Mountains, part of the ancient Hercynian massif, rise to only 467 m but support a disproportionate botanical richness. Rocky outcrops and thin steppe soils harbour narrow endemics alongside Pontic and sub-Mediterranean elements. The national park protects some of Romania's most significant steppe grassland habitats.

Dianthus nardiformis flowering on rocky steppe — *Dianthus nardiformis*Nard pink — Măcin rocky steppe

Adonis vernalis yellow flowers on dry grassland — *Adonis vernalis*Spring pheasant's eye — dry slopes

Paronichia cephalotes low mat on limestone rock — *Paronychia cephalotes*Nailwort — limestone outcrops

Dry grassland · Babadag Plateau

Pontic steppe grasslands

The dry grasslands of the Babadag Plateau and surrounding lowlands represent the western edge of the vast Pontic steppe belt. These species-rich habitats include orchid grasslands, xeric slopes and silvosteppe transitions. Many characteristic species are adapted to drought, thin soils and high summer temperatures.

Asyneuma anthericoides on dry grassland — *Asyneuma anthericoides*Pontic bellflower — Babadag steppe

Ajuga chamaepitys yellow-flowered on dry steppe — *Ajuga chamaepitys*Ground-pine — dry disturbed steppe

Convolvulus cantabricus pink flowers on steppe — *Convolvulus cantabricus*Cantabrian bindweed — xeric grassland

Coastal & halophytic habitats

Coastal dunes, salt marshes and wetlands

The Black Sea littoral and the southern margins of the Danube Delta support distinctive halophytic and psammophilous communities. Salt marshes host glasswort and sea lavender; coastal dunes are stabilised by sand couch-grass and sea holly. Freshwater wetlands behind the coast provide habitat for aquatic species including water lilies and pondweeds.

Convolvulus persicus white flowers on Black Sea sand dune — *Convolvulus persicus*Persian bindweed — fixed coastal dunes

Astragalus versicarius on dry coastal slope — *Astragalus versicarius*Milk-vetch — coastal sandy grassland

Anacamptis palustris subsp. elegans orchid in wet meadow — *Anacamptis palustris*Marsh orchid — coastal wet meadows

Conservation · Dobrogea

Plants as indicators of habitat quality

The persistence of steppe endemics and orchid-rich grasslands in Dobrogea reflects the survival of habitats that have been lost across much of Europe. Many of these plant communities are priority Natura 2000 habitat types, making Dobrogea one of Romania's most important regions for botanical conservation. Ongoing threats include land-use change, overgrazing and invasive species.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Dobrogea's flora unique in Romania?

Dobrogea hosts a distinctive assemblage of Pontic-Mediterranean, steppe and sub-Mediterranean plant species not found elsewhere in Romania. The region's ancient geology, warm continental-maritime climate and proximity to the Black Sea create conditions for several endemic and regionally rare species, particularly on the rocky slopes of the Măcin Mountains and the dry grasslands of the Babadag Plateau.

Are there endemic plants in Dobrogea?

Yes. Dobrogea harbours several Romanian endemics including Campanula romanica, Ferula mikraskythiana and Euphorbia dobrogensis, alongside species with a wider south-eastern European distribution such as Astragalus ponticus and Paeonia peregrina. Many of these are confined to the rocky steppe of the Măcin Mountains and surrounding dry habitats.

When is the best time to see wildflowers in Dobrogea?

The peak flowering season runs from April through June. Early spring brings orchids and steppe bulbs; late spring sees the grasslands at their most diverse with Pontic steppe species in full bloom. Halophytic and wetland species continue flowering into July and August along the coast and in the Danube Delta fringe.

What Natura 2000 habitats are found in Dobrogea?

Dobrogea contains several priority Natura 2000 habitat types including Pontic steppe grasslands, sub-Mediterranean dry grasslands, halophytic marshes and coastal sand dunes. All 120 species in this checklist are associated with Natura 2000 habitat types, reflecting the region's high conservation value.