Isatis takhtajanii: 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 included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 2: Rare species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. High–mountain, glabrous or densely pubescent perennial herb 25–40 cm, with well developed rhizome. Stems numerous. Leaves thin; basal ones elongate–elliptic, acuminate at apex; cauline ones with obtuse auricules. Flowers yellow, in elongate inflorescence. Siliqua 10–15 x 3–4 mm, narrowly elliptic, shortly narrowed at base and apex.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Aragats (Aragats Mountain, Geharot gorge) and Zangezur (mountains Mets Ishkhanasar, Kaputdjugh, Gazanasar, Yaglu and Lake Gogi) floristic regions. EOO is 4890 km2, AOO is 20 km2, the number of locations is 3. The general area of distribution includes Karabakh and North–East Anatolia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in alpine and sub–alpine belts, at the altitudes of 2200–3300 meters above sea level, on screes. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August.

Limiting factors. Generally loss/degradation of habitats especially caused by global climate change.

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