page_title: Salvia jurisicii
section_title: Habitat
hierarchical_section_title: Salvia jurisicii / Habitat
caption_attribution_description: English: Encompassing the Ovche Pole basin and several adjacent regions in North Macedonia, the so-called "Macedonian steppe" is an ecotype defined by Matevski et al (2008). Given the small proportion of steppe species of flora as well as the natural development of forest cover in abandoned areas, the "Macedonian steppe" is considered a steppe-like formation, rather than a "true steppe".
context_page_description: Salvia jurisicii, commonly known as Jurisic sage and Yugoslavian cut leaf sage or locally as Ovche Pole sage, is a hardy herbaceous perennial endemic to the steppe-like Ovche Pole region in central North Macedonia. Together with other endemic species, Salvia jurisicii constitutes a key component of the “Macedonian steppe” ecotype. Mainly due to agricultural activity, this species is considered critically endangered in its native habitat.
context_section_description: Salvia jurisicii was first described by Koshanin, in 1923, from the Ovche Pole basin in central North Macedonia. Various climatic, geological and anthropogenic factors have contributed to the development of a characteristic xerothermic, steppe-like vegetation in this region – a so-called “Macedonian steppe”. The typical floristic associations for this eco-type, including its unique endemic and halophytic elements, have been described by Matevski et al. With the hill Orlovo Brdo in the adjacent Negotino municipality in North Macedonia, Ovche Pole constitutes the total area of distribution for Salvia jurisicii – less than 300 km² (120 sq mi). In fact, up to 70% of the populations are found between the municipalities Sveti Nikole and Shtip. Within this territory, populations of Salvia jurisicii have been registered in the vicinities of the villages Mustafino, Vrsakovo, and Delisinci.
caption: Steppe-like terrain in the village of Mustafino, Ovche Pole.
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