Luzula forsteri: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. One small sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The species is on the verge of extinction caused by 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. Perennial herb 20–40 cm. Leaves 1,5–6 mm broad, flat, linear, sparsely pilose at margins. Flowers small, 3,5–5 mm long, solitary or in erect umbellate–paniculate inflorescence. Fruit a capsule. Seeds with large, sometimes almost as long as the seed, apical cartilagineous appendix.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Zangezur floristic region (on Khustup Mountain). AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Asia Minor.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitude of 1400–1700 meters above sea level, in the forests. Flowering in May, fruiting in July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: survey on population numbers and range, search of new habitats, monitoring of the state of the population.