Verbascum formosum: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. 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. In the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia it was included under Category 2: Rare species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Tomentose–white monocarpic herb up to 1 m. Rosette leaves oblong–lanceolate, narrowed into petiole; cauline ones ovate– cuneate, shortly petiolate or sessile. Inflorescence – long spiciform raceme. Corolla 3–6 cm in diameter, yellow, with large blackish–violet spot in the centre.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows only in Idjevan (neighborhoods of Chinchin, Koghb, Aygepar, Moses, Kalacha, Noyemberyan, Haghtanak villages) floristic region. EOO is 350 km2, AOO is 20 km2, the number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia the species grows in Dagestan, Central and East Transcaucasia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 600–1000 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, between the rocks, near the roads, in the forests and glades. Flowering from May to June, fruiting from June to July.

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

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