Beta macrorhiza: Red Data Book of Armenia

VU* B 1 ab(iii) + 2 ab(iii)

Category. Vulnerable species. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. Taking into consideration that the main area of distribution of the species is situated beyond the borders of Armenia and one sub–population grows in the area of "Sevan" National Park, the category of threat has been downgraded to VU. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 3: Reducing species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial herb, 30–60 cm. Stem erect or procumbent. Root thick, fusiform, inside red. Bracts broadly ovate, exceeding the flowers. Inflorescence elongated, spiciform.

Distribution. It grows in Darelegis (Yehegis river gorge) and Sevan (Areguni mountain range) floristic regions. EOO is 410 km2, AOO is 16 km2. The number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia the species grows in Dagestan, East Transcaucasia, Anatolia and Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle and upper mountain belts, at the altitudes of 1600–2200 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, in the steppes and meadow–steppes, on sandy banks of the lakes. Flowering in June–July, fruiting from July to September. It is wild relative of cultivated beetroot.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by land development for arable purposes, intensive grazing.

Conservation actions. One sub–population grows in the area of "Sevan" National Park. Necessary: monitoring of the state of the population.