Endangered Flower Listed in the Red Book Sold for 250-300 Drams on Yerevan Streets

In recent days, the Ministry of Environment has received numerous reports that the "yellow snowdrop," known as Sternbergia fischeriana and listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Armenia, is being sold on the streets of the capital for 250-300 drams. This information was reported by the Ministry of Environment along with details about the flower.

Sternbergia fischeriana is categorized as CR B 1 ab(i,ii,iii,iv) + 2 ab(i,ii,iii,iv), indicating it is critically endangered. It is known from only one site in the Zangezur floristic area. The area of distribution and habitat is less than 10 square kilometers. The first edition of the Red Book of Armenia included it with a status of 0, which means it is considered extinct. It is also included in Appendix II of the CITES convention. It is not listed in the appendices of the Bern Convention.

Description
Bulbous perennial plant reaching 10-15 cm in height. The bulbs are round, with a diameter of 2.5-3.5 cm, covered with brown or dark scales. The leaves are straplike, flat, shiny, dark green, blunt-tipped, with a very faint ribbing at the base, measuring up to 20 cm in length. The flowers are bright yellow, either sessile or with a short stem up to 5 mm in length. The capsule is elongated-elliptic and has a diameter of 10-15 mm. The seeds are enclosed in a capsule.

Distribution
In Armenia, it is found only in the Zangezur floristic region, particularly around the village of Inner Vachagan. It grows in the lower mountainous zone at elevations of 600-800 meters above sea level, in dry rocky, grassy, forest slopes, and in shiblyak formations. It blooms in February-March and bears fruit in May. The flowers appear in early spring, together with the leaves.

Reminder
According to Armenian law, penalties are imposed for the destruction or collection of plants listed in the Red Book. Specifically, for each unit (bulb) of the critically endangered Sternbergia fischeriana, the fine is 25,000 drams, and exceeding a total of 200,000 drams may result in criminal liability.