Asperula taurina: Red Data Book of Armenia

EN* B 1 ab(iii) + 2 ab(iii)

Category. Endangered species. Only one sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. Taking into consideration that the general area of distribution of the species is situated beyond the borders of Armenia the category of threat has been downgraded to EN. The species faces decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy caused by changes in habitat conditions. It was not included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial herb, 30–60 cm. Leaves ovate–lanceolate, 10–25 cm broad, in verticills 4–leaved. Flowers in terminal capitules. Corolla 4–lobed, white or light bluish.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows only in Idjevan (neighborhoods of Idjevan) floristic region. AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species occurs in East and West Transcaucasia, the Crimea and Anatolia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1300–1400 meters above sea level, in the shadowed beech–oak forests. Flowering in May, fruiting in June.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the forestry activities.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: search of new habitats, monitoring of the population state.