Centaurea elbrusensis: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. This Iranian species grows in two floristic regions of Armenia. It is very rare in the territory of Armenia though grows in places subjected to no danger and the main area of distribution is situated in Iran. Thus the category of threat has downgraded to EN. 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. Perennial herbs with thickened vertical root. Stems prostrated from the centre of leaf rosette, densely foliated. Cauline leaves densely villose–grey, lanceolate or linear–lanceolate, acute; rosette ones petiolate, pinnatipartite, with 2–3 triangular segments. Capitula solitary. Involucre cupuliform. Appendages of involucre phyllaries with dark brown or blackish margin and whitish fimbrilles. Flowers whitish– creamy. Pappus short.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Zangezur (Vohchi river) and Meghri (surroundings of Lichk) floristic regions. AOO is 8 km2. The number of locations is 2. Besides Armenia grows in North and West Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in sub–alpine and alpine belts, at the altitudes of 2300–3000 meters above sea level, in the meadows, between rocks. Flowering from July to August, fruiting from August to September.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, climate change.

Conservation actions. Part of population grows on the area of "Arevik" National park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.