Eunomia rotundifolia: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of the Caucasus. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The species faces decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy caused by global climate change. 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 prostrate herb 3–15 cm. Leaves opposite, rigidiusculous, obovate to rotundate, integerrime, sessile, 6–20 cm long. Flowers in shortened terminal umbel–shaped inflorescence. Sepals reddish. Petals pink, 8–10 mm long. Silicle 8 x 3–4 mm, elongate–ovate, slightly sinuate. Style at fruit about 1 mm long.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Aparan (Qyoroghly mountain peak) and Gegham (Spitak Sar, Aknasar, Eratmber, Lake Akna) floristic regions. EOO is 80 km2, AOO is 16 km2, the number of locations is 2. The general area of distribution includes the Caucasus mountains.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in alpine belt, at the altitudes of 2950–3400 meters above sea level, on screes and stony slopes. Flowering in July, fruiting in August.

Limiting factors. Loss/degradation of habitats as a result of global climate change.

Conservation actions. One of the populations is found in "Relic Circus at Qyoroghly mountain" nature monument. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.