Ribes achurjani: Red Data Book of Armenia

EN B 1 ab(i,ii,iii) + 2 ab(i,ii,iii)

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of Armenia. At present one fragmented population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy faced decline caused by changes in habitat conditions. 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. Shrub 60–70 cm, with thin shoots and grey bark. Leaves green, small, up to 2–3 cm long, not deeply trilobate. Frowers in short, 1–2 cm long, racemes; feminine flowers in 2–4–flowered raceme. Bacca small, globular, 2–4 cm in diameter, light red.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Upper Akhuryan (surroundings of Lake Arpi, Amasia) and Shirak (Akhuryan river gorge) floristic regions. EOO is 185 km2, AOO is 16 km2, the number of locations is 4.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows from middle to sub–alpine belt, at the altitudes of 1500–2400 meters above sea level, in rocky places, in river gorges. Flowering from May to June, fruiting in July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, global climate change.

Conservation actions. Grows in the teritori of "Arpi Lake" National Park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.