Astragalus paradoxus: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species with fragmented area of distribution. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. The species grows in the zone of intensive land development. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 1: Endangered species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial, almost glabrous plant. Stems very abbreviated, subterranean, densely covered with fibrose remains of petiols of the dead leaves. Leaves 4–20 cm long; leaflets 5–6–paired. Peduncles very short, 2–3–flowered. Corolla whitetinged with lilac; carina darker. Flag 20–55 mm long; carina and alas coalescent with androphore up to ½ of length. Legumes ovoid–globular.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Yerevan (Goravan, Engidzha, Zvartnots and Yerakh) and Darelegis (Khachik) floristic regions. EOO is 1040 km2, AOO is 24 km2, the number of locations is 5. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan, East Anatolia and North–West Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 800–1000 meters above sea level, in sandy places, in the desert and semi–desert. Flowering from April to May, fruiting from May to June.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, restricted ecological suitability, loss/degradation of habitats caused by development of sandy soils.

Conservation actions. One of the populations is situated in the area "Sands of Goravan" reservation included into "Khosrov Forest" State Reserve. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.