Erodium sosnowskianum: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. Endemic of Armenia. It is found in two floristic regions. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The area of distribution is severely fragmented. The threats are restricted of the area of distribution and climate change. 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 herbs with fusiform thickened rhizomes. Stems 20–60 cm, filiform, ascending, unbranched or weakly branched, 5–10 cm long, adenotrichous. Basal leaves pinnatisect, oblong, petiolate; lobes numerous, linear or cuneate. Inflorescence 3–5–rayed. Involucre bracts ovate, densely pubescent. Flowers small, violet.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Aragats (Aragats Mountain) and Gegham (surroundings of Lake Akna) floristic regions. AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 2, the distance between which is 70 km.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in alpine belt at the altitudes of 2500–3000 meters above sea level, in the alpine meadows. Flowering in June, fruiting in July.

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

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