Nuphar lutea: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. In the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia it was included under Category 0: Apparently disappearing species. New small population was found recently in the Basin of Akhuryan River. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial aquatic rhizomatous herb. Leaves floating, broadly elliptic, cordate at base. Flowers solitary, elevated on water surface. Sepals 5, bright yellow. Tepals numerous, small, narrow, spirally arranged, gradually turning into numerous stamens. Fruit bacciform, with slimy pericarp, containing air bubbles.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows only in Upper Akhuryan floristic region (basins of Lake Arpa and the river Akhuryan). AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the main area of distribution includes Ciscaucasia, West and East Transcaucasia, Europe, Siberia, Mediterranean Sea basin, Asia Minor and Middle Asia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in upper mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1800–2000 meters above sea level, in the lakes, in stagnant and slow–flowing waters. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August. This is a decorative species, medicinal herb.

Limiting factors. Change of water level, drainage of the territory, climate change, influence of anthropogenic factor.

Conservation actions. The conservation of the population may be implemented in "Arpi Lake" National Park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, search of new habitats.