Nonea polychroma: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. It is found in one floristic region. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The species was described from Turkish Armenia in 2001, while in 2002 it was discovered in Armenia. 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. Glandulose–hispid biennial or perennial herb up to 35 cm, with diffuse rosette. Stems numerous, prostrate or ascending. Leaves 20–30 x 0,3–0,6 cm, dull green, sessile. Inflorescence elongating after flowering. Flowers numerous, almost sessile. Calyx tubular, 5 mm long. Corolla patelliform, exceeding the calyx; tube yellow, straight; limb pink, turning to red and then to bleu, with bright yellow strip in gorge. Anthers yellow, prominent from corolla tube. Nutlets small, almost reniform.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Yerevan floristic region (Khor Virap, Ararat, Vedi, gorge of Yerakh mountain range). EOO is 42 km2, AOO is 12 km2, the number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia it grows in Anatolia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 800–1000 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, in semi–deserts. Flowering in May, fruiting in June.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by arable land expansion.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, establishment of specially protected nature area in Yerakh mountain range.