Cousinia megrica: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of South Transcaucasia. One population is known in Armenia. 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 40–50 cm. Leaves dense, alternate, pinnatifid, coriaceous, shiny, with sharply prominent veins and acute rigid spines at the tips of main veins. Capitula homogamous, elongate–globular, terminal on the branches. Involucre phyllaries glabrous, acuminated into long, acute, sharply revoluted spine. Flowers purple. Achenes black, conical, 3–edged, smooth. Pappus deciduous.

Distribution. In Armenia it is found only in Meghri (Vardanadzor, Lehvaz, Meghri) floristic region. EOO is 150 km2, AOO is 30 km2. The number of locations is 2. Besides Armenia grows in Nakhichevan (Julfa, Ordubad).

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 700–800 meters above sea level, in the shibliak, open forests, on dry slopes. 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.