Amberboa turanica: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. It occurs in 2 floristic regions. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. It was not included in 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. Shortly crispate–pilose annual plant 2–15 cm, with shortened shoots. Basal leaves entire, dentate; cauline ones pinnatipartite. Capitulum terminal, solitary, on short peduncle. Involucre elongate–ovate; at early stages thin–arachnoid, later glabrous. Marginal flowers few, light yellow. Achenes with pappus 4–4,5 mm long.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Yerevan (surroundings of Khor Virap castle) and Meghri (Karchevan, Agarak) floristic regions. EOO is 560 km2, AOO is 12 km2. The number of locations is 2. Besides of Armenia the species grows in East and South Transcaucasia, Russia, Iran, Central and Middle Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, West Siberia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 700–800 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, among semi–desert vegetation. Flowering from April to May, fruiting from June to July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by land development for arable purposes.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: enlargement of the area of Khor Virap reservation, monitoring of the population state.