Nitraria schoberi: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The area of distribution is fragmented. The extent of occurrence is 5000 km2, the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. Land development may cause decline of the extent of occurrence area of occupancy. In the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia it was included under Category 1: Endangered species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Shrub, 50–200 cm, with divaricate spiny branches and white bark. Leaves alternate, simple, fleshy, oblong–spathulate. Flowers on short pedicels. Petals greenish–yellow, 4–5 mm long. Fruits brown or dark red.

Distribution. It occurs in Yerevan (Argavand, Arazap, Markara, Eraskhahun) and Meghri (Araks river alluvium) floristic regions. EOO is 2350 km2, AOO is 12 km2, the number of locations is 2. Besides Armenia the species grows in East Ciscaucasia, East Caucasus, Central and East Transcaucasia, Nakhichevan, South–East Europe, Iran and Middle Asia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitude of 700–800 meters above sea level, mostly in moist saline soils. Flowering from May to July, fruiting from August to September.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by irrigation, soil drainage and land development for agricultural purposes.

Conservation actions. Part of the population grows in "Vordan Karmir" reservation. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, search of new habitats.