Corylus colurna: 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 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. High tree, up to 25–30 m, with slendertrunk, up to 1 m in diam. Bark dark grey, deeply cracked. Leaves large, slightly cordate, 2–dentate. Fruits aggregated by 3–20. Cupule dissected into narrow curved lanceolate segments, exceeding the fruits. Nut small, globular or obovate, slightly compressed; nut–shell thick.

Distribution. In Armenia the species grows in Idjevan floristic region (basin of Sevkar river, Getahovit, Yenokavan, Voskepar). EOO is 60 km2, AOO is 16 km2. The number of locations is 2. Besides Armenia the species grows in Ciscaucasia, Dagestan, East and West Transcaucasia, Talish, the Balkan Peninsula, Asia Minor, Iran and the Himalayas.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1200–1500 meters above sea level, in oak–hornbeam forests. Flowering from March to April, fruiting from May to August. This is a very beautiful tree with straight trunk, edible nuts and very beautiful pink timber. The species successfully breeds through natural regeneration: by seeds.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by deforestation.

Conservation actions. One of the populations grows in specially protected "Hazel–nut" reservation. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.