Verbascum megricum: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The species faces decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy caused by changes in habitat conditions. 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. Biennial plant 30–40 cm. Rosette leaves tomentose– white, lyrate–pinnatisect; segments narrow, acute–dentate, gradually diminishing towards the base; petioles villose. Inflorescence racemiform. Corolla 12–18 mm in diameter, yellow.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Meghri (neighborhoods of Meghri, Aldara, Shvanidzor, Nyuvadi villages) floristic region. EOO is 130 km2, AOO is 24 km2, the number of locations is 4. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan and North–West Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitudes of 600–1700 meters above sea level, in pistachio and oak–juniper open forests, in the shibliak, sandy semi–desert, on dry stony slopes. Flowering from May to June, fruiting from June to July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the influence of anthropogenic factor.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.