Iris pseudocaucasica: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. The species grows in the area of intensive agricultural activity. It faces decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy as a result of the changes in habitat conditions. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 2: Rare species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Bulbous herb. Stem 10–25 cm. Leaves flat, folded, falcate, with white cartilagineous margins, 1–1,5 cm wide. Flowers 2–3, light bluish, light bluish–violet or greenish–yellow.

Distribution. In Armenia it is distributed in Yerevan (central part of Urts mountain range) and Meghri (Aygedzor, Vardanadzor, Gudemnis, Shvanidzor, Gyumarants, Nyuvadi) floristic regions. EOO is 1200 km2, AOO is 32 km2, the number of locations is 4. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan, East Anatolia, North Iraq, North and North–West Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitudes of 600–1600 (2000) meters above sea level, on dry stony and clay slopes, in the shibliak, juniper open forest. Flowering from March to May, fruiting from May to June.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the expansion of mining industry.

Conservation actions. Part of the population is situated on the territory of "Arevik" National park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.