Echinops ritro: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. Only one population is known. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. Generally area of distribution of the species is wide, but the location in South Transcaucasia is isolated from other parts of the area. 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. Perennial herb. Stems 20–60 cm, thin, tomentose– white. Leaves weakly minute, spiny, pinnatisect, from above glabrous or arachnoid, from below tomentose–white. Capitula 12–17 mm long; penicillus equal to ¼ of it. All involucre phyllaries free, eglandulose. Corolla blue.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Darelegis floristic region (surroundings of Bartsruni village). AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia grows in Nakhichevan, Ciscaucasia, Crimea, Middle and South Europe, Anatolia, south of West Siberia and Middle Asia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitude of 1800 meters above sea level, on dry limestone slopes, among meadow–steppe vegetation. 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 land development.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.