Dracocephalum austriacum: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The species faces decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy caused by changes in habitat conditions as a result of agricutural activity. It was not included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia. It is included in the Annex 2 of the Bern Convention. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES.

Description. Perennial plant 30–40 cm. Leaves pinnate dissected to 3–5 segments. Flowers in verticilles in axils of upper leaves; verticilles approximate, forming a lax spike–shaped inflorescence. Calyx bilabiate; central tooth of upper lip broader than lateral ones. Corolla violet, tube dilatated at gorge. Anthers pubescent. Fruit of 4 smooth nutlets.

Distribution. In Armenia it is distributed in Sevan (Shorzha, Babadjan, Dara, Artanish) and Gegham (Lchashen) floristic regions. EOO is 300 km2, AOO is 16 km2, the number of locations is 4. The general area of distribution includes Ciscaucasia, West and South Transcaucasia, Middle Europe, the Balkan Peninsula and Anatolia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in upper and sub–alpine belts, at the altitudes of 1940–2500 meters above sea level: in the meadows, forest glades, on stony slopes. Flowering in June, fruiting in July.

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

Conservation actions. Part of the population grows in "Sevan" National Park. Necessary: monitoring of the state of the population.