Rorippa spaskajae: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. Endemic of Armenia. Only one population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The species faces decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy caused by changes in habitat conditions as a result of 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. Annual plant with upright stem, 30–40 cm. Leaves entire. Siliqua oblong–elliptic, 5–7 mm long, 3–4 mm wide. Flowers pale yellow.

Distribution. It occurs only in Zangezur floristic region, in the upper areas of Vorotan river. AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 1.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in sub–alpine belt, at the altitudes of 2000 meters above sea level, along riversides. Flowering in July, fruiting in August.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, 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.