Crambe armena: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. Endemic of South Transcaucasia. In Armenia two locations are found, and one in Nakhichevan. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The area of distribution is severely fragmented. The species faces threat of extinction caused by economical activity. 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 glabrous herb up to 60 cm. Stems thin, branched. Basal leaves obovate, grandidentate; petioles short. Petals white, 3,5–4 mm long. Silicle indehiscent, biarticulate; lower articule seedless, short, pedicels–shaped; upper articule 1–seeded, large, globular to ovoid.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Shirak (surroundings of Areg village) and Yerevan (surroundings of Goravan village) floristic regions. AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 2, the distance between which is 95 km. Besides Armenia, the species grows in Nakhichevan.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 800–1200 meters above sea level, on clay slopes, in semi–desert. Flowering in May, fruiting from June to July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, economical activity: expansion of arable land.

Conservation actions. One of the populations is found in "Sands of Goravan" reservation which is included in the area of "Khosrov Forest" State Reserve. Necessary: survey on population numbers and range, search of new habitats, monitoring of the state of the population.