Hypericum formosissimum: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence and 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 small plants 7–10 (15) cm. Stems numerous, prostrate, thin, almost filiform. Leaves ovate or slightly elongate, 0,5–1 cm long, integerrime, opposite. Flowers by 2–3 on the stem tip. Sepals 5, at base connate, at margins with 1 row of sparse glands. Fruit an ovate capsule; seeds numerous.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Darelegis (Areni, Arpa, Noravank gorge, near Khachik village) floristic region. EOO is 50 km2, AOO is 16 km2, the number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia the main area of distribution includes Nakhichevan (Aznaberd village) and North–East Turkey (Bitlis).

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1100–1500 meters above sea level, in the cracks of the limestone rocks. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August. Highly ornamental species.

Limiting factors. Natural factors, such as collapsing of rocks, and influence of anthropogenic factor, especially expansion of settlements, road construction, etc.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: to include habitats of the species in the list of planned protected areas or to take under special protection the rocky place near the village Areni, to mark it as nature monument and to carry out monitoring.