Anna Asatryan
Large-Flowered Poppies of Armenia: Research for Conservation
The East poppy on Arailer Volcano (photo by Anna Asatryan).
On Zangezur mountains (Southern Armenia). The subalpine meadow with poppies (Papaver paucifoliatum) (photo by George Fayvush).
| Town/Region | Country | Categories | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yerevan Botanical Garden | Armenia | Europe, Plants | 14 Aug 2001 |
Armenia is a mountainous country noted for great biological diversity - it is estimated that over 60% of all Caucasian flora species are to be found here. Poppies are amongst the brightest and most beautiful components of the scenery of the mountain steppes of Armenia. They grow from 1500 to 2700m above sea level. There are three species of the large-flowered poppy, all of which are Red Data Book listed but relatively un-studied. These poppies are under threat for various reasons: being highly decorative they are prone to being picked/collected and their seed reproduction system is not very efficient because their habitats are areas subject to intensive grazing and mowing.
The project will investigate the distribution and present condition of these poppies in Armenia, collect seeds with the objective of seed reproduction at the Institute of Botany, transplant plants to Yerevan Botanical Garden for ex-situ conservation, prepare recommendations for their conservation in their habitats and publish an illustrated booklet about the poppies for wide distribution in Armenia and abroad.