Polystichum braunii: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Area of distribution is fragmented. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. The key threat is decline of the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy caused by changes in habitats 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. Rhizomatous perennial plant up to 80 cm. Frond blade softly coriaceous, not evergreen, oblong–lanceolate, suddenly narrowed at base, bipinnate. Segments of first order oblong, lower ones obtuse, upper ones shortly acuminate; segments of second order situated at right angle, oblong–ovate, with obtuse short auricules at base.

Distribution. In Armenia it is distributed in Lori (surroundings of the villages Ahkyorpi, Privolnoye) and Idjevan (Shahali, "Dilidjan" National Park) floristic regions. EOO is 1260 km2, AOO is 24 km2. Number of locations is 3. Beyond the borders of Armenia it grows in the Caucasus (widely), countries of the Mediterranean Sea basin, North, West (Turkey, Iran) and East Asia, North America.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. It grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitude of 900–1900 meters above sea level, in the forests, in rocky places in the forests.

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

Conservation actions. Part of the population is situated in the area of "Dilidjan" National park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, search of new habitats.