Cousinia fedorovii: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of Armenia. One population is known. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. The species may suffer from the expansion of recreation zone of «Sevan» National Park. 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. Dwarf semishrub, 20–30 cm. Leaves dense, pinnatifid, with acute rigid spines at the tips of main veins. Capitula homogamous, globose, aggregatet in racemiform inflorescense. Involucre phyllaries densely villose, slightly revoluted, spiny at apex. Flowers pinkish–violet.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Sevan (Areguni mountain range, Noraduz cape) floristic region. EOO is 700 km2, AOO is 24 km2. The number of locations is 5.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in upper mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1900–2000 meters above sea level, among steppe shrubs, in the steppes, on dry slopes. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from June to August.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the expansion of arable lands and grazing.

Conservation actions. The population grows in "Sevan" National Park, one location is situated in reserve zone. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.