Gladiolus dzhavakheticus: Red Data Book of Armenia

EN B 1 ab(iii) + 2 ab(iii)

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of Transcaucasia. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. The species faces threat of decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy as a result of habitat changes. 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 with bulbotuber. Stem 40–60 cm. Leaves 3, with inaequal venation. Inflorescence unilateral or bilateral, 4–6– flowered; all the flowers during the flowering oriented upward. Perianth unclearly bilobate, almost actinomorphic, dark purple. Decorative plant.

Distribution. In Armenia it is distributed in Upper Akhuryan (Arpi Lake basin, Dzhavakhet mountain range), Shirak (surroundings of Mets Mantash village) and Lori (surroundings of Shahnazar, Tashir, Urasar villages) floristic regions. EOO is 1490 km2, AOO is 36 km2, the number of locations is 5. Besides Armenia the species grows in South–West Transcaucasia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle and upper mountain belts, at the altitudes of 1400–2200 meters above sea level, in the meadows, meadow–steppes, wetlands. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August.

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

Conservation actions. The part of the population grows in "Arpi Lake" National Park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.