Halanthium kulpianum: Red Data Book of Armenia

EN B 1 ab(i,ii,iii) + 2 ab(i,ii,iii)

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 1: Endangered species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Fleshy annual plant, 10–30 cm. Leaves and shoots alternate. Perianth segments 6 mm long, scarious, 2–3–dentate at apex. Stamens with small, 1,2–2,2 mm in diameter, rounded or broadly ovate vesicular appendages. In truits slightly below the middle of 2 external perianth segments with hard rudimental cream–yellow wing 0,7–1,2 mm long.

Distribution. It occurs in Yerevan floristic region, in Ararat, Armavir and Kotayk regions. EOO is 530 km2, AOO is 24 km2. The number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia the species grows in Dagestan, Nakhichevan, East Transcaucasia, North–East Anatolia and North Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 800–1300 meters above sea level, on gypsaceous clays of the Tertiary Period. Flowering from the end of May to the end of July, fruiting from July to September.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the expansion of the cities and land development for agricultural purposes.

Conservation actions. One of the populations grows in the area of "Erebuni" State Reserve. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.