Tragopogon collinus: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of Transcaucasia. It occurs in the very south of Armenia. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The species faces extinction caused especially by land development and road construction. 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 5–25 cm. Stem erect, unbranched. Leaves narrowly linear or lanceolate, with whitish undulate margins. Peduncle not thickened. Involucre phyllaries shorter than flowers. Flowers bright pink. Achenes in upper part gradually turning into thick, almost smooth rostellum.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Meghri (Shvanidzor, Nyuvadi, Astazur) floristic region. EOO is 40 km2, AOO is 12 km2. The number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia the area of distribution includes East Transcaucasia and Iran. It is rare everywhere.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 550–650 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes. Flowering from April to May, fruiting from May to June.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused especially by land development and road construction.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: survey on population numbers and range, search of new habitats, monitoring of the state of the population.