Rhizocephalus orientalis: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Vulnerable species. It occurs only in the neighborhood of Yerevan and in the Ararat Plain. At present the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. Since the main area of distribution of the species is situated beyond the borders of Armenia 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 1: Endangered species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Very small, 1–8 cm, annual plant, forming small dense tuft. Leaf blades up to 60 x 1–4 mm. Inflorescences capitate or cylindrical, 1,5–2 cm long. Spikelets 3–6 mm long.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows only in Yerevan (neighborhood of Yerevan, Goravan and at the foothills of Urts mountain range) floristic region. EOO is 230 km2, AOO is 24 km2. Locations are 4. Besides Armenia the species occurs in the east part of the Mediterranean Sea basin, South–West and Middle Asia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitudes of 800–1300 meters above sea level, on dry stony and gypsaceous clay slopes, on the red clays of the Tertiary period, among phryganoid, desert, semi–desert and steppe vegetation. Flowering from April to May, fruiting from May to June.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the expansion of arable lands, amelioration and the development of infrastructures.

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