Centaurea rhizocalathium: 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 two floristic regions, in both regions is very rare. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. Grows in the area of intensive economic activity. 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 stemless or almost stemless herbs 2–5 cm, with long, branched rhizome. Rosette leaves elongate, pinnatisect up to ½ or more, slightly scabrid. Capitulum solitary, at the centre of leaf rosette, 15–36 mm wide. Involucre bracts without appendages or appendages reduced to cusp up to 2 mm long. Flowers yellow.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Yerevan (between the villages Zovashen and Garni) and Zangezur (between the cities Goris and Sisian, and Khustup Mountain) floristic regions. EOO is 2560 km2, AOO is 12 km2. The number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia grows in East Anatolia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1200–1600 meters above sea level, in semi–desert and steppe. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August.

Limiting factors. Restricted distribution and land development.

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