Euonymus velutina: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. At present only one small population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The species faces decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy caused by changes in habitat conditions. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 2: Rare species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Not high shrub, 1–2 m. Young branches densely shortly velutinous. Leaves opposite. Flowers greenish–white, in cymes.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Zangezur (Nerkin Hand) floristic region. AOO is 8 km2. The number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Azerbaidjan, Middle Asia (Kopet Dag) and North Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 700–800 meters above sea level, at the edge of oak forest, in plane grove. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from August to September.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy.

Conservation actions. Grows in the area of "Shikahogh" State Reserve. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.