Rubus takhtadjanii: Red Data Book of Armenia

EN B 1 ab(i,ii) + 2 ab(i,ii)

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of Armenia. Only one population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. 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. Shrub. Leaves compound, of 5 leaflets, glabrous from above, shortly tomentose–grey from below, aculeate on the veins; leaves of generative shoots ternate. Inflorescence few–flowered, terminal, interrupted, compound of small, up to 3–4 cm long, axillary 1–3–flowered branches. Petals pink. Fruits globose, up to 1 cm in diam.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Zangezur (surroundings of Tsav and Srashen villages) floristic region. EOO is 30 km2, AOO is 12 km2, the number of locations is 1.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitudes of 800–1400 meters above sea level, on the slopes of mountain rover gorges, at forest edges, on stony slopes and rocks, in road sides. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from August to September.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy.

Conservation actions. Grows in the area of “Shikahogh” State Reserve. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, search of new habitats.