Malvella sherardiana: 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 1: Endangered species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial herb 10–50 cm, with prostrate or ascending, densely foliated velutinous stems. Leaves cordate–reniform. Flowers axillar, on long thin pedicels. Petals dark pink. Epicalyx of 3 free leaflets. Fruit compressed, dividing to 1–seeded inflated mericarps. Seeds ovoid, small.

Distribution. It occurs in Yerevan (Vardashen, Erebuni) and Darelegis (Arpi, Areni, Yeghegnadzor, Getap, Chiva) floristic regions. EOO is 320 km2, AOO is 24 km2, the number of locations is 3. The general area of distribution includes East Transcaucasia, Talish, countries of the Mediterranean Sea basin, Crimea, Anatolia, and North Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitude of 800–1200 meters above sea level, on dry clay slopes, in the fields, in road sides. Flowering in May, fruiting in June.

Limiting factors. Loss/degradation of habitats caused by infrastructure and land development.

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