Endangered Flower Listed in the Red Book Being Sold on City Streets: How Violators Will Be Punished

The "yellow snowdrop," known scientifically as Sternbergia fischerian, which is listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Armenia, is once again being sold on the streets of the capital. This information has been provided by the Ministry of Environment.

According to Armenian law, there are fines for the destruction or collection of plants listed in the Red Book. Specifically, for each individual of the critically endangered Sternbergia fischerian, the fine is 25,000 AMD. If the total exceeds 200,000 AMD, criminal liability may apply.

This species is critically endangered and is known only from one growing area in the floristic region of Zangezur. The area of its distribution and habitat is less than 10 square kilometers. In the first edition of the Red Book of Armenia, it was classified as a species with status 0, meaning extinct. It is included in Appendix II of the CITES Convention and is not listed in the appendices of the Bern Conventions.

Description: This is a perennial bulbous plant measuring 10-15 cm in height. The bulbs are round, ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 cm in diameter, covered with brown or dark scalelike coverings. The leaves are strap-like, flat, shiny, dark green, with a blunt tip and a barely ribbed base, measuring up to 20 cm long. The flowers are bright yellow, either sessile or with a short stalk measuring up to 5 mm long. The capsule is elongated-elliptical, measuring 10-15 mm in diameter. The seeds are within the seed capsule.

This species is only found in the Zangezur floristic region, specifically around the village of Inner Vachagan. It grows in the lower mountainous zone at altitudes of 600-800 m above sea level, in dry rocky, grassy, and forested slopes, particularly in shiblyak areas. The plant blooms in February-March and bears fruit in May. The flowers appear in early spring alongside the leaves.