Armenia is positioned at the junction of several bio-geographical regions, and consequently contains a wealth of botanical diversity. However, these bio-geographical zones are well linked, and the lack of isolation results in relatively few endemic species. Overall, 106 species of endemic plants are recorded (representing 3% of the total Armenian flora, and 1.5% of flora found across the Caucasus ; Tables 3.1, 3.2; Map 7).

In addition, Armenia contains a number of regional endemics which are also found at a limited number of sites in neighbouring countries. For example, Campanula massalskyi only grows in one site outside Armenia (in Turkey), and Cousinia gigantolepis only grows in the southern province of Armenia and in sites in northern Iran. Overall, over 300 species are endemic to the Armenian-Iranian region.

Table 3.1 Number of endemic species within different plant families

The endemic flora of Armenia is of relatively recent origin (dating from the Quaternary or Holocene), with no ancient endemic species recorded. This reflects the relatively recent diversification of flora in the region, which has resulted in the current botanical richness of Armenia. The distribution of endemics corresponds closely with climate, and most are found in the southern and central arid zones of the country (Table 3.3). In particular the regions of Daralagiaz and Yerevan show high numbers of endemics (with 38 and 36 species respectively).

Table 3.2 Number of endemic species in different genera

Relict species, which have been preserved since geological time practically unchanged, are an important component of Armenia's botanical diversity. It is estimated that between 150 and 200 relict species occur, although accurate determination is limited by gaps in the fossil record. Some species (such as Oriental beech Fagus orientalis, which originated in the Tertiary period) are well adapted to today's conditions, and compete well with younger species. Other relicts are widely spread but are only associated with particular habitats (e.g. yew, Caucasian rosebay), while some species are restricted to specific sites or refuges (e.g. Oriental plane Platanus orientalis and male fern Dryopteris filix-mas). There is also evidence of relict fungi species occurring in deserts and steppes including Podaxis pistillaris and Battarea phalloides).

Threatened plant species have been recorded from all regions (Table 3.4; Map 8). Many of the rare and threatened plants in Armenia are associated with wetlands; water-marsh systems alone contain 45 plant species which are considered to be in need of conservation attention. The greatest threat to wetland plants has been drainage of marsh and wetlands for agriculture. Around 20,000 ha of wetland sites have been drained across the country, resulting in inevitable damage to these ecosystems and associated flora. However, a number of other threats affect water plants.

· A number of species (including yellow water lily (Nuphar luteum), bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), and flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) were lost when Lake Arpi was converted into a reservoir.

Table 3.3 Distribution of endemic species according to Armenian floristic regions and altitude zones

· The drainage of Lake Gilly, and decline in water levels in Lake Sevan, severely affected populations of around 60 species of water plants (including Peucedanum zedelmeyerianum, Eleocharis transcaucasica, Astragalus goktschaicus and Puccinellia grossehimii), and a number of species disappeared completely following these activities.

· Medicinal plants, such as sweet flag (Acorus calamus), which has traditionally been used to treat gastro-intestinal problems, have suffered over-collection.