Salsola soda: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 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. Glabrous succulent annual plant, 10–70 cm. Flowers in remote inflorescence, by 1 or 3. Bracts 12–15 mm long, with cartilaginate bristles, broadly ovate. Fruits 3–6 mm in diameter, caucer–shaped, truncate at apex.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Yerevan floristic region (Yeraskhahun,Yeraskh). EOO is 150 km2, AOO is 20 km2. The number of locations is 2. Besides Armenia the species is grows in Ciscaucasia, Dagestan, East Transcaucasia, Central and South Europe, East Asia, Asia Minor, North Africa.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 700–800 meters above sea level, on wet solonchaks. Flowering from June to August (September), fruiting from September to October.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by land development for agricultural purposes and change of ecological conditions (decline in ground water level, soil washing out and irrigation).

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: Necessary: survey on population numbers and range, search of new habitats, monitoring of the state of the population, establishment of specially protected nature area in the solonchaks of the Ararat Valley.