Hesperis persica: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. 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 50–60 cm, densely covered with long simple hairs, in upper part with admixture of glandulose hairs. Leaves basal. Pedicels recurved. Flowers remote. Petals at early stages dark crimson, later yellowish–grayish–brown, with oblong–spathulate limb. Siliqua drooping, hardly dehiscent.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Yerevan (Vedi, Ararat, Zovashen, Yeranos and Yerakh mountain ranges) and Darelegis (Areni, Arpa, Martiros, Hermon) floristic regions. EOO is 1640 km2, AOO is 32 km2, the number of locations is 5. The general area of distribution includes Nakhichevan, Talish, North–East Anatolia, North Iraq, Iran and Turkmenia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitudes of 700–1600 meters above sea level, on stony slopes, screes, on sandy soil, among phryganoid and steppe vegetation. Flowering in May, fruiting in June.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats as a result of the expansion of arable lands.

 Conservation actions.No conservation actions. Necessary: establishment of new specially protected areas in the territory of Yerakh mountain range and in the vicinity of Zovashen village, monitoring of the population state.