Astragalus bylowae: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. Endemic of Armenia. One small population is known. The extent of occurrence and 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 plants, covered with bipartite hairs. Stems branched, 20–40 cm. Leaves 3–4 cm long; leaflets 7–12–paired, glabrous from above, adpressed pubescent from below, 4–8 x 2 mm. Corolla reddish; flag 1215 mm long. Legumes linear, cylindrical, pendent, 23–30 x 2 mm.

Distribution. Grows in Zangezur (surroundings of Tegh village) floristic region. AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitude of 1350 meters above sea level, in steppes. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August.

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

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: search of new habitats, monitoring of the population state.