Crupina intermedia: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Vulnerable species. It occurs in two floristic regions. 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 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. Annual plant. Stems erect, 20–80 cm. Leaves alternate, pinnatisect or pinnate. Capitula many–flowered, at base rounded. Flowers purple; in hermaphrodite ones tube of corolla sparsely covered with almost smooth hairs. Achenes obovate–cylindrical.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Meghri (Lehvaz, Aygedzor) and Darelegis (between Martiros and Khndzorut villages) floristic regions. EOO is 870 km2, AOO is 16 km2. The number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia grows in Nakhichevan, Algeria, Anatolia, Iraq, Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitudes of 1000–1700 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, in oak and juniper open forests, between the rocks, on screes. Flowering in June, fruiting in July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy.

Conservation actions. One population grows in the area of "Arevik" National park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.