Falcaria falcarioides: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. At present grows only in Yerevan floristic region. It was known also from Sevan floristic region (Lake Gilli) but this population has probably disappeared in the result of the drainage of the lake. The main area of distribution is severely fragmented. The species faces decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy as a result of agricultural activity: amelioration, desalination and drainage of swamps, burning of the vegetation. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 1: Endangered species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Poorly branched glabrous biennial herb, 30–50 cm. Leaves coriaceous; basal ones with entire, ovate–oblong, slightly cordate at base blade and flattened petioles. Bracts and bracteoles absent. Fruits narrowly oblong, about 3 mm long.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Yerevan floristic region (surroundings of Ararat town, Aygerlich). EOO is 170 km2, AOO is 12 km2, the number of locations is 2. Besides Armenia it grows in Anatolia and West Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 800–900 meters above sea level, on saline soils, in swamps and wet meadows. Flowering in June, fruiting in July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, severe area fragmentation, loss/degradation of habitats caused by drainage of the swamps, burning of the vegetation and amelioration.

Conservation actions. Ararat salt marshes are now marked as nature monument, but no special conservation action is carried out. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.