Taxus baccata: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Vulnerable species. This relic species of the Tertiary period is distributed in Idjevan and Zangezur floristic regions forming several relatively large groves. Individual trees are met in beech and oak forests. The change in habitat conditions may cause degression of habitats. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 2: Rare species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Evergreen tree up to 25 m high and 1 m in diameter. Bark reddish–grey, smooth or laminate. Leaves lasting 5–8 years, linear to lanceolate, flat, with domed vein, acuminate, with short petiole. Seed with bright red arilloid.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Idjevan (groves of "Yew of Akhnabat" and "Yew of Voskepar" and neighboring forests) and Zangezur ("Shikahogh" state Reserve) floristic regions. EOO is 2870 km2, AOO is 64 km2. Locations are 10. Beyond the borders of Armenia it grows in the Caucasus, Europe, countries of the Mediterranean Sea basin, South Africa, Asia Minor.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. It grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitude of 700–1500 meters above sea level, along riversides, in the forests. It has valuable timber.

Limiting factors. Hindered seed reproduction, global climate change.

Conservation actions. The species is conserved in "Shikahogh" state Reserve and "Yew of Akhnabat" grove in “Dilijan” National Park. Necessary: monitoring of the state of the population.