Aegilops crassa: Red Data Book of Armenia

CR B 1 ab(iii) + 2 ab(iii)

Category. Critically endangered species. Only one small sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. It is situated in the zone of intensive development for construction. The species faces extinction caused by changes in habitat conditions. 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. Annual erect plant 30–40 cm. Spikes densely pubescent, 5–10 cm long, with 6–9 fertile spikelets. Spikelets 4–7–flowered, 7–10 mm long. Lemma 7–10 mm long; awn up to 8 mm long.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows only in Yerevan floristic region (Hrazdan river gorge in the surroundings of Yerevan). AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in South– West and Middle Asia, Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 900–1100 meters above sea level, on stony slopes and screes, on grinded boulders of the rivers. Flowering from May to June, fruiting from June to July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused generally by construction, recreational trampling.

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