Iris atropatana: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The species faces threat of decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy as a result of the changes in habitat conditions. 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. Bulbous plant. Stem 5–10 cm. Leaves flat, folded, falcate, very glaucous, with white cartilagineous margins, 2–4 cm broad at base. Flowers 1–2, sulphury–yellow, rarely light blewish.

Distribution. In Armenia it is distributed only in Darelegis (Her–Her, Bardzruni, Martiros, Khndzorut, Sers, Getap, Yeghegnadzpor, Agarakadzor, Malishka) floristic region. EOO is 470 km2, AOO is 44 km2, the number of locations is 4. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan and East Anatolia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle and upper mountain belts, at the altitudes of 1200–2000 meters above sea level, on dry rocky, clay, gypsaceous, stony slopes, among tragacanth and phryganoid vegetation, in juniper open forest. Flowering from April to May, fruiting from May to June.

Limiting factors. Loss/degradation of habitats caused by anthropogenic factor.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.