Leptunis trichodes: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Only one sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence is less than 100 km2. The species faces decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy caused by changes in habitat conditions first of all in the result of land development for arable purposes. 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. Annual plant with thin filiform stems 10–25 cm. Leaves filiform, in verticilles by 10–16. Flowers small with long tube, reddish.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows only in Yerevan (mountain Yeranos, Yerakh mountain range, neighborhoods of Zovashen village). EOO is 65 km2, AOO is 12 km2, the number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia the species occurs in Nakhichevan, Talish, Iran, Middle Asia and Afghanistan.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 800–1100 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, among phryganoid vegetation. Flowering in May, fruiting in June.

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.