Astragalus saganlugensis: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Two sub–populations are known. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 500 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 caespitose rhizomatous plants. Pubescence dense, hairs unbranched. Leaves 2–4 cm long; leaflets 4–6 mm long. Inflorescence capitate, 12–18–flowered. Corolla reddish. Legume equal to calyx.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Zangezur (mountain Kaputdjugh) and Darelegis (Djermuk surroundings) floristic regions. AOO is 24 km2, the number of location is 2. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan, Karabagh and Anatolia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in upper and sub–alpine belts, at the altitudes of 1800–2700 meters above sea level, on stony slopes, in the meadows. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August.

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

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: survey on population numbers and range, search of new habitats, monitoring of the state of the population.