Teucrium canum: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. Endemic of the Caucasus. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. 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 20–40 cm, completely covered with whitish–grey short appressed hairs; pubescence more dense on the lower side of leaves. Leaves entire, elongate–elliptic, serrate, at base cuneate; petioles short, 1–2 cm long. Common inflorescence spike–shaped; flowers few, remote. Calyx almost actinomorphic, campanulate, 5–dentate. Corolla pinkish–purple, 5–dentate, seeming unilabiate. Fruit of 4 obovate nutlets.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Shirak floristic region (Artik, Pemzashen). AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Dagestan, West and East Transcaucasia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1750–1800 meters above sea level, on dry stony and clay slopes in the steppes. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by anthropogenic factor, especially open exploitation of tuff.

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