Astragalus karakuschensis: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. The species grows in the intensive land use zone. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 2: Rare species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial plant 5–10 cm, with underground lignose stolons. Pubescence dense, of short, squarrose, simple hairs. Leaves 1,5–3 cm long; leaflets 8–10–paired, 3,5–5 mm long. Peduncles 3–5 cm long. Inflorescence 5–8–flowered, loose. Calyx inflating during the flowering, with purple veins. Corolla light, later turning red.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Yerevan (village Chatma) and Darelegis (between the villages Khachik, Gnishik and Mozrov) floristic regions. EOO is 740 km2, AOO is 24 km2, the number of locations is 4. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle and upper mountain belts, at the altitudes of 1600–2700 meters above sea level, on lime stony slopes, in the steppes and meadow–steppes. Flowering in June. The observations made on natural populations and the perennial investigations of the plants grown in Yerevan Botanical Garden have shown that the species has lost its ability of generative reproduction and vegetative reproduction takes place very slowly.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, small ability of reproduction, loss/degradation of habitats caused by intensive agricultural activities.

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