Erysimum macrostygma: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. It occurs only in South Armenia. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. The species is on the verge of extinction caused by economical activities. 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. Cushion–shaped cespitose perennial plant up to 20 cm. Stems thin, prostrate, during fructification up to 35 cm. Leaves narrow, oblanceolate to almost linear, integerrime or denticulate, acutate at apex, often reflexed. Flowers yellow. Fructifer pedicels 4–5 mm long. Siliqua 2–3,5 cm long, 3–4 mm broad.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Meghri floristic region (Goghtan Mountain, Bughaqar, Karchevan). EOO is 80 km2, AOO is 16 km2, the number of locations is 2. The general area of distribution includes Nakhichevan, North–East Anatolia, North Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle and upper mountain belts, at the altitudes of 1250–2000 meters above sea level, on dry slopes, forest edges, between the gaps of the rocks. Flowering from May to June, fruiting in July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats as a result of economical activity.

Conservation actions. Part of the population is situated in "Arevik" National park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.