Nepeta lamiifolia: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Two sub–populations are known in the Lake Sevan basin. 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 as a result of global climate change. 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 herb 20–30 cm. Leaves triangular–rounded, at base cordate; lower ones on long petioles. Flowers in dense cyme–shapes inflorescences; basal flowers remote, upper ones dense. Calyx 8–10 mm long, oblique truncate, 5–teethed. Corolla up to 20 mm long, bilabiate, violet. Nutlets smooth.

Distribution. In Armenia it is distributed in Sevan (Sevan mountain range) and Gegham (surroundings of the lake Akna) floristic regions. EOO is 495 km2, AOO is 12 km2, the number of locations is 3. The species, besides Armenia, occurs in the East Caucasus, Asia Minor and Iraq.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in alpine and sub–alpine belts, at the altitude of 2000–3200 meters above sea level, on stony places and screes. Flowering from July to August, fruiting in September.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused particularly by global climate change.

Conservation actions. Part of the sub–population grows in "Sevan" National Park. Necessary: survey on population numbers and range, search of new habitats, monitoring of the state of the population.