Sagittaria sagittifolia: Red Data Book of Armenia

CR B 1 ab(ii,iii,iv) + 2 ab(i,ii, iii,iv)

Category. Critically endangered species. This species is almost extinct because of vegetation succession in the Lori Plateau lakes and extinction of rice fields in the Ararat Valley. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 0: Apparently disappearing species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial aquatic herbs with subterranean tuber–forming rhizomes. Floating and submerged leaves oblong–lanceolate, ovate or elliptic, with approximate short lobes; emerged leaves sagittate–triangular. Inflorescence simple or more often branched. Petals white Anthers dark violet. Fruits rounded, broadly alate; rostellum almost straight.

Distribution. In Armenia it occured in Lori (Oran–Lori) and Yerevan (Sayat–Nova, Sarvanlar) floristic regions. AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 2, the distance between which is 110 km. Besides Armenia the species grows in the Caucasus, in Europe, Ancient Mediterranea, Siberia, Japan, China and North America.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitudes of 800–1500 meters above sea level, in the swamps, along the banks of shallow water reservoirs and lakes, in rice fields. Flowering in June, fruiting from June to August.

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

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: special survey on the state and structure of the population, its monitoring.