Astragalus agasii: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. Endemic of Armenia. Only one population is known consisting of two locations. The area of distribution is severely fragmented. 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. Perennial, almost stemless, loosely caespitose plant 10–12 cm, covered with simple hairs. Leaves grayish because of dense pubescence; leaflets 7–18–paired, elliptical, 3–7 x 1,5–3 mm. Inflorescence dense, capitate, not elongating after flowering. Corolla yellow; flag 18– 21 mm long. Legumes ovate, 10 mm long, densely covered with long squarrose hairs.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows only in Zangezur (on the mountain ranges Bargushat and Zangezur, in the surroundings of Sisian) floristic region. The area of occupancy is 8 km2, the number of locations is 2, the distance between which is 23 km.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in the alpine belt, at the altitudes of 2900–3000 meters above sea level, on stony and rocky slopes. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August.

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

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.