Global, European, EU 27 regional assessment: Endangered (EN)

Artemisia granatensis is listed as Endangered because of a drastic population decline, estimated to be more than 50% between the years 1994 and 2003, based on direct observation and the levels of exploitation. Its distribution is severely fragmented and there is a continuing decline in the number of subpopulations and in the number of mature individuals, mainly due to collection, predation by herbivores and the low capacity of adaptation to adverse climatic conditions of the species.

This species is endemic to the mountains of Sierra Nevada, southern Spain (Hernández Bermejo et al. 2004). It can be found in two locations: one in the province of Granada, comprising 10 subpopulations; and one in the province of Almeria. A wider distribution was reported in the past, being currently described as severely fragmented. Its area of occupancy has been estimated in 15 km².

Total population size is 452 individuals (Hernández Bermejo et al. 2004). The population size is thought to be higher, although less than 2,000 individuals. Comparing previous census (1994), a decrease in the number of mature adults of more than 50% can be observed up to the year 2003, as well as the disappearance of some subpopulations.

This herb is found in grasslands on steep slopes of high Mediterranean mountains. It occurs in dry, rocky sites, screes, ledges and crevices and rock fissures. It is commonly associated to other endemic species. Frequent accompanying species are Festuca clementei, Erigeron frigidus, Hormathophylla purpurea, Arenaria tetraquetra, Sempervivum minutum and Papaver lapeyrousianum.

Flowers are unattractive to insects. The achenes have great capacity for germination, but lose viability over time (Hernández Bermejo et al. 2004).

The lack of popular awareness appears as the main factor threatening this species, which has been often collected for medicinal purposes (Hernández Bermejo et al. 2004). Predation by herbivores has been also reported as a threat. The species presents low genetic variability between populations, which has been thought to be due to low capacity of adaptation to adverse climatic conditions.

This species is harvested for medicinal purposes.

This species is listed on Annex II of the Habitat Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). It is included as species "En peligro de extinción" in the Spanish national catalogue of threatened species. It is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) A2ad; B1ab(iv,v) in the Spanish Red List 2008 (Moreno 2008).

It occurs within the protected area Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada, where a recovery programme is established. In vitro cultivation has been developed. Plant material is stored in several germplasm banks.

Illegal collection should be efficiently controlled through awareness campaigns. Cultivation and propagation have to be enhanced in order to satisfy the needs of population reinforcement plans and traditional uses. Variability in germplasm banks should be increased (Hernández Bermejo et al. 2004).