Smyrniopsis armena: Red Data Book of Armenia

EN B 1 ab(i,ii,iii,iv) + 2 ab(i,ii,iii,iv)

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of Armenia. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 1: Endangered species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Large yellowish–green perennial herb up to 2,5 m. Leaves glabrous, 2–3–pinnate dissected; terminal lobes large, ovate. Fruits ovoid, compressed, with numerous large vesiculiform secretion conceptacles.

Distribution. Grows only in Darelegis floristic region (Selim mountain pass, Djermuk, Getikvank, Aghavnadzor, Spitakavor, Tsakhac Kar). EOO is 450 km2, AOO is 28 km2, the number of locations is 5.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in upper and sub–alpine belts, at the altitudes of 2000–2500 meters above sea level, on open stony slopes, among steppe shrubs, very often near historical monuments. Flowering in June, 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, reconstruction of historical monuments, disturbance of habitats during construction works, recreational trampling.

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