Botrychium lunaria: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Vulnerable species. Area of distribution is fragmented. Theextent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is lessthan 500 km2. The category of threat has been downgraded to VU sincethe main area of distribution of the species is beyond the borders of therepublic. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armeniaunder Category 1: Endangered species.It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the BernConvention.

Description. Yellowish–green, fleshy rhizomatous perennial plant5–20 cm. Sterile part of frond pinnate; segments oblique crescent–shaped, with cuneate base and emarginated apex. Fertile part of frond 2–3–pinnate, elevated over the sterile one.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Gegham (surrondings of Lake Akna), Sevan (surrondings of the village Daranak, mountain range Vardenis) and Zangezur (Aramazd and Khustup mountain peaks) floristicregions. EOO is 3160 km2, AOO is 24 km2. Number of locations is 5. Beyond the borders of Armenia it is met in the Caucasus, Europe, Centraland East Asia, Africa, North and South America and Australia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. It growsin alpine and sub–alpine belts, at the altitude of 2500–3300 meters abovesea level, in the meadows and between rocks.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area ofoccupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by overgrazing.

Conservation actions. It grows in the area of "Sevan" National Park.Necessary: monitoring of the population state, search of new habitats.