Colchicum umbrosum: Red Data Book of Armenia

CR B 1 ab(i,ii,iii,v) + 2 ab(i,ii,iii,v)

Category. Critically endangered species. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. Area of distribution is severely fragmented. 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 stemless herb. Bulbotuber 1,5–2 x 1–1,5 cm, ovate or almost globular, covered with blackish–grayish–brown coriaceous tunics, elongated into thin collar 4–8 cm long. Leaves 2–5, lorate, narrowed at top and base, accrescent during fruiting. Flowers 1–3, pale purplish–pink. Capsule oblong–elliptic, acuminate, with rostellum up to 5 mm long, reddish–brown, glabrous.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Idjevan floristic region (Koghb, surroundings of Tumanyan). AOO is 8 km2. The number of locations is 2, the distance between which is 25 km. Besides Armenia the species is grows in the Caucasus (East Ciscaucasia, the Greater Caucasus, West and East Transcaucasia), The Black Sea basin, the Crimea and North Anatolia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Blossom is in the autumn. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitudes of 700–1400 meters above sea level, in light forests, forest glades and meadows.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by forestry activities.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, search of new populations.