Alcea sophiae: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is 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 1: Endangered species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial herb 30–100 cm, dispersely covered with small stellate hairs. Leaves almost rotundate, slightly quinquepartite– emarginate. Flowers large, pentamerous, white. Epicalyx 7–10 mm long, twice shorter than calyx, of triangular leaflets. Fruit compressed, of numerous 1–seeded mericarps. Seeds reniform–alate.

Distribution. It grows in Shirak (Talin, Pemzashen, Bagravan, Mastara, Maralik, Karakert, Tatul, mountain Arteni) and Yerevan (river bank of Hrazdan) floristic regions. EOO is 1590 km2, AOO is 32 km2, the number of locations is 5. The general area of distribution includes South–West Transcaucasia, North–East Anatolia (Surmalu, Karakala).

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitude of 1300–1800 meters above sea level, in the mountain steppes, in rocky places, between the cracks in the rocks. Flowering from June to August, fruiting from July to September. Decorative species.

Limiting factors. Loss/degradation of habitats caused by the influence of economical actions.

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