Eriophorum latifolium: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Vulnerable species. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 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. Perennial herb 20–70 cm, with short rhizome. Leaves broadly linear, 3–8 mm broad. Spikelets 3–10 (12), in umbel–shaped drooping inflorescence, on peduncles of different length. Bracts small, 0,5–0,8 mm long, ovate–lanceolate, blackish. Perianth bristles numerous, covered with white sericeous hairs, elongating after flowering up to 1,5 cm long. Fruit 2–3 mm long.

Distribution. It occurs in Lori (Chknagh mountain range), Aparan (mountain Kyoroghly) and Darelegis (Vayk) floristic regions. EOO is 790 km2, AOO is 12 km2. The number of locations is 3. The general area of distribution includes the Greater Caucasus mountain range, almost the whole of Transcaucasia, Europe, Asia Minor, East Siberia, Far East and North America.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows from middle to alpine belts, at the altitudes of 1500–3000 meters above sea level, in the alpine and sub–alpine meadows, along wet banks of the streams. Flowering in June, fruiting in July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by nomadic livestock husbandry and global climate change.

Conservation actions. According to the decree of 2008 of the Government of RA the relic circus situated at Kyoroghly mountain has been granted status of natural monument. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.