Jaubertia szovitsii: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Vulnerable species. Three sub–populations are known. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. Taking into consideration that 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 as Neogaillonia szovitsii (DC.) Lincz. under Category 2: Rare species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Semishrub, up to 40 cm, with numerous fragile, whitish in basal part stems. Leaves opposite, linear, at base united into sheets. Flowers in axillar and terminal cymes. Corolla with long tube, 4–5–partite, pink.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Yerevan (mountain Yeranos, Yerakh mountain range, neighborhoods of Zovashen village), Darelegis (neighborhoods of Chiva village) and Meghri (neighborhoods of Meghri) floristic regions. EOO is 1800 km2, AOO is 20 km2. Locations are 5. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan and North Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 600–1300 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, among phryganoid vegetation. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August.

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

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