Cousinia gabrieljanae: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. One population is known in Syunik region. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The species grows in the area of intensive land development. 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. Dwarf semishrub 30–40 cm. Leaves dense, alternate, pinnatifid, with acute rigid spines at the tips of main veins. Capitula homogamous, pyriform, terminal on the branches; central one always larger than lateral ones. Involucre phyllaries almost glabrous, slightly recurved, at apex spiny; appendage hastate. Flowers purple. Achenes black, conical, 3–edged, tuberculate. Pappus deciduous.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Zangezur (surroundings of Kapan) floristic region. AOO is 12 km2. The number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia grows in East Transcaucasia (Djebrail).

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 700–800 meters above sea level, in the shibliak. 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 the expansion of arable lands.

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