Acantholimon festucaceum: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. Only one small sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The species faces decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy caused by the changes in habitat conditions. It was not included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Cushion–shaped hemispheric undershrub. Flower stalks longer than leaves. Spikelets numerous, forming flexuose, lax, repeatedly branched inflorescence; on the main axis of which spikelets are remote, on the branches and apex – almost congested. Calyx limb 8 mm in diameter, indistinct 5–10–lobed, white; veins blackish. Petals pink.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Meghri floristic region (surroundings of the village Nyuvadi). AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitude of 500 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, among phryganoid vegetation. Flowering in July, fruiting in August.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by road construction.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, search of new habitats, establishment of specially protected nature area in the neighborhoods of Nyuvadi village.