Corydalis verticillaris: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are 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 with globular tuber. Cauline leaves 2, opposite, sessile or shortly petiolate, 3 (2)–pinnate; segments of the first order on long petiolules, by 3–4 from each side, almost opposite or alternate; segments of the last order deeply 2–3–lobate; lobes obtusate, linear to narrowly elliptic–oblong. Raceme 3–8–flowered. Corolla zygomorphic, 16–35 mm long, pink or purpurascens, with dark purple spot at apex; calcar 1,5–2 times longer than external petal, almost straight or curved.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Zangezur (mountains Gazanasar and Khustup) and Meghri (between Lehvaz and Boghakar villages, mountain Chknavor) floristic regions. EOO is 220 km2, AOO is 16 km2, the number of locations is 4. Besides Armenia the species grows in North Iraq and Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows from upper mountain to alpine belt, at the altitudes of 1900–3100 meters above sea level, on screes, stony and clay slopes, in tragacanth communities. Flowering from April to July, fruiting from May to July.

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

 Conservation actions. part of population is situated on the territory of "Arevik" National park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.