Scilla mischtschenkoana: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. It occurs in one floristic region. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. 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. Perennial herb. Bulb small, 15–18 x 10–15 mm; tunics dark grayish–brown. Scape tender, prostrate after flowering, 10–15 cm. Leaves linear, often reflexed, shorter than scapes. Inflorescence a diffuse raceme. Flowers 2–5, pale lilac, light blue or almost white. Capsule almost globular. Seeds globular, 2–3 mm in diameter, smooth, black, with white semianulus–shaped strophiole.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Meghri (Karchevan, Lehvaz, Nyuvadi) floristic region. EOO is 270 km2, AOO is 40 km2, the number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia it grows in Nakhichevan and North–West Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1000–1700 meters above sea level, under natural coverage, in the cracks of the rocks, among phryganoid vegetation, in arid open forest. Flowering from March to April, fruiting in April.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by land development and road construction.

Conservation actions. Part of the population is situated on the territory of "Arevik" National park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, search of new habitats.