Astragalus humilis: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. One sub–populations is known located in the area of internsive agrictural activities. 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 stemless plant densely covered with adpressed or slightly adpressed bipartite hairs. Leaves 7–15 cm long; leaflets 7–14–paired, elliptical, 5–13 x 2,5–4 mm. Racemes loose, few–flowered; peduncle is very short. Corolla 21–26 mm long; flag light lilac; carina and wings yellow. Legumes 8–10 mm long, densely covered with semiadpressed hairs, ovate, obtuse, with subulate rostellum, oblique turned to the dorsal side.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Zangezur floristic region (surroundings of Sisian town). AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Georgia, East and South Anatolia, North–East Iraq and North Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in upper mountain belt, at the altitude of 1800 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, in meadow–steppes. Flowering from May to June, fruiting from June to July.

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

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: establishment of new specially protected nature area in the surroundings of Sisian, monitoring of the population state.