Sagittaria trifolia: 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. 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, without floating or rubmerged leaves. Emerged leaves sagittate; lobes narrow. Inflorescence simple or slightly branched. Petals white. Anthers yellow. Fruits obovate, broadly alate, with incised margins and short oblique acute rostellum.

Distribution. In Armenia it occured in Lori (Oran–Lori, Klin) floristic region. AOO is 8 square kilometers, the number of locations is 1. The main area of distribution includes West, East and South Tsanscaucasia, Talish, coastal zone of the Black Sea, Astrakhan, Siberia, Central Asia and Asia Minor, Iran, the Himalayas, India, Indochina, Far East, Japan, China.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitude of 1500 meters above sea level, in swamps, along shallow water reservoirs and lakesides. Flowering from June to July, fruiting in August.

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

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