Peltariopsis planisiliqua: 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. The species is on the verge of extinction as a result of changes in habitat conditions of the species and grazing. 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. Biennial plant 30–60 cm. Stems virgate, almost leafless, branched from the middle. Lover leaves congested at stem base like a rosette, obovate, fleshy, reddish; petioles equal to blades. Raceme lax. Flowers white. Siliqua (4) 7–8 (10) x 3–5 mm, on filiform fructifer pedicels.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Darelegis (Aush, Shatin, Terp, Khachik, Bartsruni, Alayaz gorge, Her–Her) and Zangezur (Angeghakot) floristic regions. EOO is 890 km2, AOO is 32 km2, the number of locations is 5. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan, North–East Anatolia, North–West Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1300–1900 meters above sea level, on stony, often sandy areas of mountain slopes, in arid open forests. Flowering from April to May, fruiting from May to June.

Limiting factors. Loss/degradation of habitats caused by the expansion of arable lands and grazing.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.