Allium akaka: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. Only one location is known in the northern border of the main area of distribution of the species. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The species is on the verge of extinction caused by habitat loss. The species A. materculae Bordz. under the name A. akaka was wrongly included into 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. Bulbous plant 6–12 cm. Leaves 2–3 (4), (1) 2–5 cm broad, oblong–elliptic, suddenly narrowed in short cucullate apicule. Inflorescence hemispherical or broadly fasciculate, many–flowered. Perianth stellate– or inffundibular–campanulate; segments (elliptic–) linear, whitish or lilac–pink; midrib purple–violet. Decorative plant.

Distribution. In Armenia it is found only in Meghri floristic region, in the surroundings of Agarak village. AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia this species grows in Nakhichevan, Talish, East Anatolia, North–West and North Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitude of 600–900 meters above sea level, in stony places, on screes, among phryganoid vegetation. Flowering from April to May, fruiting in May. This is an ornamental plant.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the expansion of mining industry in the surroundings of Agarak.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: search of new habitats, establishment of new specially protected nature area in the surroundings of Agarak.