Cousinia qaradaghensis: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. Only one population is known. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 10 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 semi–shrub 40–50 cm. Leaves dense, alternate, pinnatifid, rough, with sharply prominent veins and acute rigid spines at the tips of main veins. Capitula homogamous, elongate–globular, terminal on the branches; central one much larger than lateral ones. Involucre phyllaries long arachnoid; appendages narrow, folded, revoluted. Flowers pink. Achenes cuneate, distinctly barred, tuberculate.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Meghri floristic region (Lichk, Kuris). AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia grows in North–East Anatolia, North–West Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1100–1400 meters above sea level, in rocky and stony places. 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 expansion of arable lands.

Conservation actions. Part of population grows on the area of "Arevik" National park. Necessary: search of new habitats, monitoring of the population state.