Anthochlamys polygaloides: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. Only one sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. 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. Glabrous, green or yellowish (grayish)–green, branched from the base annual plant, 15–40 (60) cm. Leaves linear or ovale. Inflorescence fine, spiciform, shortly pilose. Perianth segments pink. Fruit rounded, flat, with transparent wing.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Meghri floristic region, near Meghri town, in Araks river alluvium. AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Talish, in North and West Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 620–700 meters above sea level, on sandy riverbeds, wetlands. Flowering from July to August, fruiting from August to October.

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

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: establishment of new specially protected nature area in the surroundings of Agarak settlement, monitoring of the population state.