Chardinia macrocarpa: Red Data Book of Armenia

VU* B 1 ab(ii,iii) + 2 ab(ii,iii)

Category. Vulnerable species. At present three populations are known. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. Since the main area of distribution of the species is situated beyond the borders of Armenia, the category of threat has downgraded to VU. 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. Annual, grayish–green pubescent plants. Stems 25–50 cm, branched from the base. Capitula many–flowered. Flowers whitish, almost not exceeding the involucre phyllaries. Achenes large; pappus up to 1 cm long, often pink.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Yerevan (surroundings of Yerevan, Urts mountain range) and Darelegis (Arpa river gorge) floristic regions. EOO is 700 km2, AOO is 24 km2. The number of locations is 4. Besides Armenia grows in Nakhichevan, Anatolia, Iraq, Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitudes of 1000–1800 meters above sea level, in the steppes, on red clays of the Tertiary period. Flowering from June to July, fruiting in July.

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

Conservation actions. Part of the populations grows in "Erebuni" State Reserve. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.