Salsola tamamschjanae: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, and the area of occupancy is less than 500 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, branched from the base plant. Stems light green, whitish–sulcate. Leaves filiform–linear, glabrous, spiny. Perianth segments 2,8–3,8 mm long, lanceolate, acute, at fruits with large, light brown, scarious wing with distinct dark veins. Seed 3 mm in diam.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Yerevan floristic region (Armavir, Goravan, Yeraskh, Yerevan, Zvartnots). EOO is 190 km2, AOO is 24 km2. The number of locations is 5. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan (Ordubad, Julfa) and West Iran (Lake Urmia basin).

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 700–1000 meters above sea level, in the deserts and semi–deserts, on sandy soil, on red gypsaceous clays of the Tertiary period. Flowering from July to September, fruiting from September to November.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by sandy soil development for arable lands, as well as sand excavation as building material.

Conservation actions. One of the populations is situated in the area of "Khosrov Forest" State Reserve. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.