Astragalus corrugatus: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. 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 up to 20 cm, sparsely covered with simple hairs. Leaves 1,5–3,5 cm long, pinnate; leaflets in 3–8 pairs, at apex deeply emarginated. Inflorescence 1–3–flowered. Corolla light lilac. Legumes linear, falcate, 20–40 x 2 mm; valves with distinct reticulate venation.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Yerevan floristic region (surroundings of Yeraskh village). AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan, East Transcaucasia, Anatolia, South–West and Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Africa.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitude of 800 meters above sea level, in saline soil. Flowering in April, fruiting in May.

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

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: survey on population numbers and range, search of new habitats, monitoring of the state of the population.