Diptychocarpus strictus: Red Data Book of Armenia

CR B 1 ab(ii,iii) + 2 ab(ii,iii)

Category. Critically endangered species. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. 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. Annual plant 10–40 cm, pubescent mainly in basal part. Leaves linear to pinnatipartite; lobes linear. Petals linear, purple. Siliqua glabrous or glandulose 25–80 mm long; rostellum 3–10 mm long. Seeds in 1 row, narrowly marginate.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Yerevan floristic region, in surroundings of Yeraskh village. AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. The main area of distribution includes Nakhichevan (Nakhichevan, Negram, Julfa), Middle Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 700–800 meters above sea level, on clay, slightly saline soils, in ruderal places. Flowering in May, fruiting in June. The carried out investigations and experimental sowing affirm that heterocarpia (existence of various fruit types) distinctive to this genus is connected with environmental conditions, especially with humidity. It was asserted that the dehiscent pods among individuals of the same population are not similar.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by arable land expansion and irrigation.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, search of new habitats.