Asterolinon linum: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. One sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The species faces changes in habitat conditions as a result of the expansion of arable lands and development of infrastructures. 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. Annual plant, 1–5 (10) cm. Leaves oblong–ovate, opposite. Flowers axillar, corolla whitish–yellow. Pedicels capillaceous, at fruits curved. Calyx lobes stellate–divaricate.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Meghri (Aldara) floristic region. AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in East Transcaucasia, the Crimea, countries of the Mediterranean Sea basin and South–West Asia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 900–1100 meters above sea level, on stony slopes, among phryganoid vegetation. Flowering in April, fruiting from April to May.

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

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.