In September 2025, during routine fieldwork conducted by the biodiversity team of Armenia’s Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center (Hayhydromet), the fungus species Battarrea phalloides was recorded in the Artsvaberd forestry area.
This species is listed in Armenia’s Red Book as Extinct (EX). Before this observation, it had only been recorded once in 1915 in the Lori floristic region near Akhtala. However, no herbarium specimen from that earlier finding was preserved.
Five specimens were found and sampled for future study.
According to paleobotanical data, Battarrea phalloides is a relic of the clay epoch. Its primary threat is the disappearance of suitable biotopes.
