Isatis karjaginii: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. Endemic of South Transcaucasia. In Armenia it occurs in two floristic regions. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The area of distribution is severely fragmented. The species is on the verge of extinction caused by economic activity and recreation. 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 up to 40 cm. Leaves elongate, sparsely pilose; cauline ones at margins and at midrib more densely covered with appressed hairs. Flowers yellow, in dense inflorescence. Siliqua 25–28 mm long, 29–35 mm broad, glabrous, broadly elliptic with undulate margins.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Yerevan (Urts mountain range) and Zangezur (Shaki waterfall) floristic regions. AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 2, the distance between which is 107 km. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1300–1500 meters above sea level, on stony slopes. Flowering in May, fruiting in June.

Limiting factors. Restricted habitats, loss/degradation of habitats caused by recreation.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: survey on population numbers and range, search of new habitats, monitoring of the state of the population.