Thlaspi zangezuricum: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of Armenia. It grows only in southernmost region of Armenia. 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 caused by global climate change. 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. Perennial, branched plant 3–10 cm. Leaves integerrime; basal ones petiolate; cauline ones sessile, without auricules. Flowers pink. Silicula 6–9 mm long, wingless, narrowed at apex; style 1 mm long.

Distribution. It grows only in Zangezur (mountain Khustup, Aravus village) and Meghri (Vardanadzor) floristic regions. EOO is 630 km2, AOO is 12 km2. The number of locations is 3.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in alpine and sub–alpine belts, at the altitudes of 2000–3100 meters above sea level, between the rock fissures. Flowering in June, fruiting in July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats 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, establishment of specially protected nature area in the alpine and sub–alpine belts of Khustup mountain.