Astragalus refractus: 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–population is known. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. 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 stemless plant, covered with bipartite hairs. Flower stalks coming out from the centre of leaf rosette, erect, rigid, 20–40 cm. Inflorescence 20–30–flowered, dense, elongating after flowering. Corolla yellow. Legumes linear, pendent.

Distribution. In Armenia it is found in Zangezur floristic region (surroundings of Ashotavan village, Shaki waterfall). AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in East Transcaucasia, Talish and North Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitude of 1500–1700 meters above sea level, on dry meadows and meadow–steppes. Flowering from May to July, fruiting from June to August.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by land development for arable purposes and intensive grazing.

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