Menyanthes trifoliata: Red Data Book of Armenia

VU* B 1 ab(iii) + 2 ab(iii)

Category. Vulnerable species. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. Taking into consideration the wide range of distribution of the species the category of threat has been downgraded to VU. 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 aquatic herb 30–60 cm, with long creeping rhizomes. Leaves alternate, with deeply tripartite blades; petioles long, up to 30 cm, with long sheaths at base. Flowers in dense terminal raceme. Corolla white or pinkish; lobes densely fimbriate from inside. Fruit an unilocular capsule. Seeds large, compressed.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Sevan (former Lake Gilli), Darelegis (Chimoj and Piros Lakes) and Zangezur (Verdo Lake) floristic regions. EOO is 1540 km2, AOO is 16 km2. Locations are 3. The general area of distribution includes almost the whole Caucasus, temperate Eurasia, and North America.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitude of 1700–2000 meters above sea level, in the lakes, in swampy, stagnant waters. Flowering from July to August, fruiting from August to September.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by global climate change.

Conservation actions. Part of the population grows in “Sevan” National Park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, ex–situ conservation, introduction into gardening of water reservoirs.