Alcea karsiana: Red Data Book of Armenia

EN B 1 ab(iii) + 2 ab(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. 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, densely covered with bicuspidate hairs. Leaves large, more densely pubescent from below. Flowers large, 5–7 cm in diameter; petals 5, white. Epicalyx of elongate triangular leaflets 10–12 mm long. Fruit compressed, of 18–40 1–seeded mericarps. Seeds reniform.

Distribution. It occurs in Upper Akhuryan (village Gtashen) and Shirak (Horom, LenGES surroundings, mountain Kachal) floristic regions. EOO is 300 km2, AOO is 20 km2, the number of locations is 4. The general area of distribution includes North–East Anatolia (Ardahan, Karaurgan, Karakurt).

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle, upper and sub–alpine belts, at the altitude of 1600–2600 meters above sea level, in the mountain steppes, on rocky slopes, on dry stony places. Flowering from June to August, fruiting from July to September.

Limiting factors. Loss/degradation of habitats caused by the expansion of agricultural actions.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.