Orchis punctulata: Red Data Book of Armenia

VU B 1 ab(ii,iii,iv) + 2 ab(ii,iii,iv)

Category. Vulnerable species. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. The category of threat is downgraded to VU, since the local populations border those in Azerbajdjan and Iran. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 2: Rare species. It is included in the Annexes of CITES as representative of Orchidaceae family. It is not included in the Annexes of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial herb 30–50 cm, with entire tubers. Bracts much shorter than ovary. Flowers yellowish. External perianth segments forming a cassis, 9–11 mm long from inside dark aspersed. Labellum with dark papilles at base and large bipartite central lobe. Very ornamental plant.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Zangezur (Tass mountain pass, "Shikahogh" State reserve) and Meghri (Vahravar, Shvanidzor) floristic regions. EOO is 700 km2, AOO is 24 km2. Locations are 4. The general area of distribution includes Transcaucasia, Talish, East Mediterranea, Crimea, West Asia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows from lower to upper mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1000–2000 meters above sea level, in the open forests, forest glades, steppe shrubs and shibliak. Flowering from April to June, fruiting from June to July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by arable land expansion, road construction, excessive collection as ornamental plant.

Conservation actions. Part of the population grows in "Shikahogh" State Reserve. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.