Silene pendula (Caryophyllaceae), a New Alien Species for the Flora of Bulgaria

Silene pendula has been found on lawns near a gas station in the vicinity of Gelemenovo village, Pazardzhik Municipality. It is the first finding of spontaneous growth of this species in Bulgaria that allows accepting S. pendula as a new alien species for the flora of the country. Though the true origin of S. pendula in the discovered location is unknown, two hypotheses are considered. Also, a short description of the location, morphological characteristics of the species, as well as its differences from close species are given in this article.