Astragalus commixtus: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. The species is situated in the northern border of the main area of distribution. In Armenia one sub– 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. Annual plant 10 cm, densely covered with strict hairs. Leaves 2–7 cm long, pinnate; leaflets in 3–7 pairs, at apex obtuse or slightly emarginated. Inflorescence 1–5–flowered. Corolla light violet. Legumes shortly densely pubescent, 10–30 x 3 mm, linear, falcate, with revolute rostellum.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Yerevan (Yerakh mountain range) floristic region. AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan, Anatolia, South–West and Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitude of 900 meters above sea level, on clay, stony slopes, among phryganoid vegetation. Flowering from March to April, fruiting from April to June.

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

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, establishment of new specially protected nature area on Yerakh mountain range.