Linaria megrica: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of South Transcaucasia. In Armenia the species is found on Meghri mountain range and on frontier part of Zangezur mountain range. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The species faces decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy caused by changes in habitat conditions. 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 herb 15–35 cm. Stems numerous, unbranched, in the middle part densely foliated. Leaves alternate, lanceolate–linear. Inflorescence – dense unbranched raceme. Corolla yellow with blackish veins.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Meghri (neighborhoods of Tashtun, Lichk, Kaler villages) and Zangezur (Kaputdjugh mountain peak). EOO is 75 km2, AOO is 20 km2, the number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in upper and sub–alpine belts, at the altitudes of 1900–2700 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, between the rocks, among tragacanth communities, in juniper open forests. Flowering in July, fruiting in August.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the overgrazing.

Conservation actions. Part of the population grows on the territory of "Arevik" National park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.