Centaurea arpensis: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of Armenia which grows in two floristic regions. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. The species grows in the area of intensive economic activity. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia as Category 2: Rare species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial herbs. Stems thin, virgate, repeatedly branched, almost to the tip densely foliated, in upper part unbranched. Leaves linear–lanceolate. Capitula oblong, 14–15 mm long. Involucre phyllaries with membranous, semiorbicular, pectinate–ciliate at margins appendages. Flowers whitish. Achenes whitish–creamy, oblong, not narrowed at base, 5–6 mm long. Pappus 5–6 mm long.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Yerevan (Vedi, Tigranashen, canyon Djandam dara) and Darelegis (surroundings of Yeghegnadzor) floristic regions. EOO is 600 km2, AOO is 24 km2. The number of locations is 4.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1100–1500 meters above sea level, on dry clay, stony slopes and screes, in juniper open forest, among phryganoid vegetation. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August.

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

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.