Potentilla cryptophila: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 square kilometers, area of occupancy is less than 500 square kilometers 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. Perennial, appressed sericeous–pubescent herb with thick main root. Basal leaves long–petiolate, quinquepartite, with almost rhomboid, deeply, almost pinnate incised–dentate leaflets, on thickish petiolules; cauline leaves tripartite. Inflorescence loose, few–flowered. Flowers 3–5, pentamerous. Sepals light pink or white, with thin purple veins. Fruit a multinucula.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Gegham (mountain Spitaksar), Darelegis (mountain Gogi) and Zangezur (vicinity of Darabas village) floristic regions. EOO is 2100 km2, AOO is 12 km2, the number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia the species grows in Talish and Iran (Elburs).

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in alpine belt, at the altitudes of 2800–3400 meters above sea level, on rocky and stony slopes, on screes and volcanic rocks. Flowering from July to August, fruiting from August to September.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by global climate change.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: search of new habitats, monitoring of the population state, to cultivate in botanical gardens as decorative plant, introduction into floriculture.