Salvia spinosa: 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 10 km2. The species is on the verge of extinction in Armenia caused by anthropogenic factor. Since the species is widely spread beyond the borders of Armenia the category of threat has been downgraded to EN. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 1: Endangered species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial herb 40–50 cm. Leaves entire, large, sessile, smooth, yellowish. Inflorescence paniculate. Flowers bilabiate. Corolla white, with long tube, bilabiate, 20–25 mm long; central tooth of upper lip longer than lateral ones. Nutlets about 3 mm long, almost black.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Yerevan (Hatsavan, Zovashen) floristic region. AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the main area of distribution includes Nakhichevan, Mediterranean Sea basin, Asia Minor, Middle Asia and Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitude of 1000–1300 meters above sea level, on dry stony places, in the mountain steppe. Flowering in June, fruiting in July. Ether–oil plant with pleasant odor.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the expansion of agricultural lands.

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