Centaurea leuzeoides: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. It occurs in two floristic regions. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The species may become extinct for being extremely rare. 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. Perennial herbs, white or grey floccose–arachnoid. Stems 20–80 cm. Basal leaves 9—17, 3–7 cm, with 1–4 pairs of lanceolate lateral segments; petioles 3–5 cm long. Capitula almost oblong. Involucre phyllaries in numerous rows, with domed, decurrent, rounded at the apex appendages. Flowers pink; marginal ones with large lanceolate–linear lobes. Achenes 6–8,5 mm long. Pappus 6–9 mm long, seta of the inner ring 3–5 mm long.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Darelegis (surroundings of Martiros village) and Zangezur (neighborhoods of Tatev village) floristic regions. AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 2, the distance between which is 45 km. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan and Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitude of 1700–1900 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, in the steppe. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August.

Limiting factors. Restricted distribution, land development.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, search of new habitats.