Citrullus colocynthis: Red Data Book of Armenia
CR B 1 ab(iii) + 2 ab(iii)
Category. Critically endangered species. The species was collected only once in 1977. The key threat is the small extent of occurrence and area of occupancy (less than 10 km2). It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 1: Endangered species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.
Description. Annual plant with prostrate or climbing stems 1–2 m long. Leaves scabrous, at base cordate, deeply tripartite, with pinnatisect or 2–pinnatipartite lobes. Corolla from the outside green, villose. Fruits 7–12 cm in diameter, light green; pulp subsiccus; seeds numerous.
Distribution. In Armenia the species occurs only in Meghri floristic region (alluvium of the river Araks, near Meghri town). AOO is km2. The number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Middle and South–West Asia, Africa and India.
Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 600–700 meters above sea level, on temporary wet sandy–boulder grounds. Flowering from August to September, fruiting from September to October.
Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy.
Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: survey on population numbers and range, search of new habitats, monitoring of the state of the population.
