Bupleurum sosnowskyi: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Vulnerable species. Endemic of the Caucasus. It occurs in three floristic regions. The area of distribution is fragmented. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 2000 km2. Economical activity may lead to the disturbance 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. Glaucescent perennial herbs, up to 1 m. Stems in upper part very flexuose. Leaves very firm. Bracts 5–8, large, persistent. Vittae in fruit valleculae solitary.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Upper Akhuryan, Shirak and Sevan floristic regions. EOO is 5060 km2, AOO is 30 km2, the number of locations is 4. Besides Armenia it grows in South–West and East Transcaucasia, Nakhichevan and in North–East Anatolia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in upper mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1800–2000 meters above sea level, in mountain steppes and meadows. Flowering in June, fruiting from July to August.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the expansion of arable lands and intensive grazing.

Conservation actions. Two parts of the population are situated in "Sevan" National Park and in “Arpi Lake” National Park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.