Sorbus caucasica: Red Data Book of Armenia

EN B 1 ab(iii) + 2 ab(iii)

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of the Caucasus. One sub– population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. Land development and worsening of the habitat quality may lead to the decline of the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy. It was not included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Not high tree. Leaves deeply lobate, oblong, obtuse, pubescence of the lower surface greenish–grey. Leaf–buds large, acuminate. Inflorescence many–flowered, corymbiform, 5–7 cm in diam. Stamens shorter than petals. Fruits oval, bright red.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Darelegis (vicinity of Djermuk) floristic region. EOO is 55 km2, AOO is 12 km2, the number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia it grows in Ciscaucasia, Dagestan, West, Central and East Transcaucasia, Talish.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in upper mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1900–2200 meters above sea level, in broad–leaved forests, on rocky slopes. Flowering from May to June, fruiting in August.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, habitats loss/degradation caused by land development for arable purposes.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.