Ornithogalum gabrielianae: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. Endemic of Armenia. It occurs in one floristic region. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. It was not included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia since the species was described in 1997. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial herb 10–25 (30) cm. Bulb stolon–forming, with curved collar, consisting of 2–5 tunicate, coadnate at base squames. Leaves 20–30 x 0,3–1,5 cm, tender, flat or canaliculated, exceeding the scape. Inflorescence a dense, narrow, short raceme 3–6 cm long; pedicels very short. Flowers 2–8 (14), large, up to 4 cm in diameter, white. Capsule with paired obtuse ribs.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows only in Aragats (Aragats Mountain) floristic region. AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 1.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in sub–alpine belt at the altitudes of 2000–2800 meters above sea level, in the meadows, on upper forest edge. Flowering in May–June, fruiting in July–August.

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

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