Astragalus karjaginii: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Only one sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The species grows in the zone of intensive agricultural activities. 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. Thorny, almost glabrous, cushion–shaped branched shrub, 30–40 cm. Leaves 3–12 cm long; leaflets 4–7–paired, coriaceous, glaucescent–green, 10–35 x 4–8 mm. Inflorescence compressed–globular, 3–5 cm in diam. Corolla yellow, rarele reddish; flag 17–77 mm long.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Yerevan (Ukhtuakunk river gorge, surroundings of Garni, Goght, Chatma, Bayburd villages, Urts mountain range) and Gegham (Gelaysor) floristic regions. EOO is 370 km2, AOO is 36 km2, the number of locations is 4. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan and North–West Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle and upper mountain belts, at the altitudes of 900–2200 meters above sea level, on screes, dry stony slopes, in open juniper forest. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August.

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

Conservation actions. Part of the population grows in "Khosrov Forest" State Reserve. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.