Carex oligantha: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. In the republic it is found in two sub–populations that are at a considerable distance from each other. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The key threat is decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy as a result of changes in habitat conditions. 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. Perennial small herb 7–15 cm. Leaves flat, much shorter than stem. Spikelets 1–3, sessile, aggregated on the step tip, 0,5–0,8 cm long. Bracts blackish, suddenly acutate at apex. Utricules 3,5 mm long, obovate, greenish; rostellum 0,7 mm long.

Distribution. It is found in Aragats (Aragats Mountain) and Zangezur (Kaputdjugh Mountain) floristic regions. AOO is 8 km2. The number of locations is 2, the distance between which is 220 km. The general area of distribution includes West and Central parts of the Greater Caucasus, south of Dagestan, South–West, East and South Transcaucasia, North– East Anatolia. It is rare everywhere.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in the alpine belt, at the altitudes of 3000 (and more) meters above sea level, on screes and chingils. Flowering in July, fruiting in August.

Limiting factors. Loss/degradation of habitats caused by global climate change.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.