Merendera sobolifera: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. 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. Perennial stemless herb 4–16 cm, with stolons and bulbotuber. Leaves usually 3, linear–lanceolate, equal to flowers or exceeding them. Flowers usually 1–2, whitish–pink. Capsule brown, ovate, at apex narrowed, acuminate. Seeds numerous, with large whitish arilloid.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Yerevan floristic region (Ararat, Marmarashen, Yerevan). EOO is 270 km2, AOO is 12 km2. The number of locations is 3. The main area of distribution includes the East Caucasus, Central and South Transcaucasia, Bulgaria, Syria, Asia Minor, Middle Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 800–850 meters above sea level, in salt marshes, in wet meadows. Flowering from February to April, fruiting in May.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the drainage of marshes and soil desalinization, land development for arable purposes, vegetation burning, as well as grazing.

Conservation actions. According to RA Government decree 2008, the salt marshes of the Ararat region are included in the list of nature monuments. Necessary: monitoring of the state population.