Jurinea elegans: Red Data Book of Armenia

EN B 1 ab(iii) + 2 ab(iii)

Category. Endangered species. It occurs only in Meghri floristic region. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The key threats are the expansion of mining industry and development of infrastructure. 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 up to 30 cm, virgate, with lanose glomerula in the axils of dead leaves. Capitula 5 cm in diameter; involucre phyllaries glabrous.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Meghri (from Nakhichevan border to Shvanidzor) floristic region. EOO is 70 km2, AOO is 16 km2. The number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhhichevan, East Transcaucasia and Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 500–1000 meters above sea level, on dry stony and rocky slopes, among phryganoid communities. Flowering from May to June, fruiting from June to July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the intensity of mining industry and road construction.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: establishment of specially protected nature area in the surroundings of Agarak settlement in Meghri region, monitoring of the population state.