Rochelia cardiosepala: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. It is found in two floristic regions. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The key threats are restricted area of distribution and overgrazing. 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. Setose annual plant, 5–20 cm. Leaves torulose–setose; basal ones elliptic, cauline ones narrow, sessile, upper ones linear. Fertile racemes lax. Pedicels thin, nutant. Corolla light blue, almost equal to calyx. Sepals accrescent after flowering, straight, cordate–triangular, convergent. Nutlets by 2, covered with stellate–glochidiate hairs.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Yerevan (Yeranos mountain range, mountain Kotuts) and Darelegis (surroundings of Vayk town) floristic regions. EOO is 175 km2, AOO is 12 km2, the number of locations is 3. The general area of distribution comprises South Transcaucasia, Anatolia, Central Asia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1400–1800 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes. Flowering in June, fruiting in July.

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

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, search of new habitats.