Inula aucheriana: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. It is also notified for Idjevan and Zangezur floristic regions. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under category 1: Endangered species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial herb 15–60 cm, usually covered by chondrose verrucose tubercles. Rhizome nodose. Leaves slightly fleshy. Capitula 5–8 mm in diameter, gathered in lax raceme. Ligulate flowers with 1–4 staminodia. Achenes glabrous or sparsely pilose.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Yerevan (surroundings of Ararat town, Masis, Yerakh mountain range) floristic region. EOO is 580 km2, AOO is 40 km2. The number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhhichevan, Anatolia and West Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 800–1100 meters above sea level, on travertines, in mineralized swampy sites, in moist saline soils, near mineral springs. Flowering from July to August, fruiting from August to September.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the expansion of arable lands, drainage of swamps, grazing, vegetation burning.

Conservation actions. Accoding to RA 2008 Government decree Ararat marshes were marked as nature monument – “Salt marsh”, but no actual conservation is being carried out. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, establishment of specially protected nature area on Yerakh mountain range.