Peucedanum pauciradiatum: Red Data Book of Armenia

CR B 1 ab(ii,iii,iv) + 2 ab(ii,iii,iv)

Category. Critically endangered species. Endemic of Transcaucasia. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy face decline caused by mining industry and expansion of arable lands. 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 40–80 cm. Leaves congested at stem base, 2–3–pinnate dissected, solid, glaucescent; terminal lobes rounded, usually 3–lobate, 8–10 mm long. Umbels 3–6–rayed. Bracts and bracteoles 5–6, lanceolate. Petals light yellow. Fruits very compressed dorsally; marginal ridges narrowly winged.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Meghri floristic region (neighborhoods of the villages Agarak and Aldara). AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 1. Beyond the borders of Armenia it grows in Nakhichevan and in Zangelan district of Azerbaidjan.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 800–900 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, screes, in phryaganoid vegetation. Flowering in May, fruiting from June to July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, severely fragmentation of the area of distribution, loss/ degradation of habitats caused by mining industry, expansion of arable lands, road construction.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: establishment of specially protected nature area in the surroundings of Agarak town in Megri region.