Campanula massalskyi: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. 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 anthropogenic factor. 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. Densely velutinous dwarf semishrub. Stems 4–20 cm. Flowers light blue, 1–5, in corymbose–racemose inflorescence. Leaves ovate–cuneate, fleshy, undulate. Decorative plant.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only ûn Arteni Mountain in Shirak floristic region. AOO is 8 km2. The number of locations is 1. Two populations are found beyond the borders of Armenia in North– East Anatolia, one of which is close to the Armenian one (Digor–chai, Beshkilisa).

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1100–1700 meters above sea level, on the rocks of volcanic origin. Flowering from July to August, fruiting from August to September.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by obsidian and perlite extraction in Arteni Mountain.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, establishment of new specially protected area in Arteni Mountain.