Micromeria fruticosa: Red Data Book of Armenia

VU* B 1 ab(iii) + 2 ab(iii)

Category. Vulnerable species. In the Caucasus it is known only from Armenia. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. Because of the worldwide distribution of the species the category of threat has been downgraded to VU. 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. Dwarf semi–shrub 8–15 cm. Stems erect, thin, unbranched. Leaves almost sessile, small, elongate–ovate, at margins involuted. Inflorscence lax, composed of cymes of 1–5 flowers on short pedicels. Calyx narrow, tubular, with 13–15 veins and obtuse teeth. Corolla bilabiate, light violet. Stamens connivent under the upper lip. Fruit of 4 ellipsoidal nutlets.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Yerevan (Vedi and Khosrov river basins, Yerakh mountain range) floristic region. EOO is 150 km2, AOO is 24 km2, the number of locations is 2. The main area of distribution includes Crimea, Eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea basin, North–East Turkey.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1000–1800 meters above sea level, among phryganoid vegetation, in stony places, on screes, in rock openings. Flowering from May to June, fruiting in July.

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

Conservation actions. Grows in the area of "Khosrov Forest" State Reserve. Necessary: monitoring of the state of the population.