Elymus transhyrcanus: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. One sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The species faces extinction caused by the changes in habitat conditions in the result of the intensity of economical activities. It was not included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Perennial herb, forming a dense tuft. Stems erect, 40–100 cm. Spike erect, 7–15 cm long, loose, green. Lemma lanceolate, 8–10 mm long, glabrous; awn short, 2–4 mm long.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Zangezur and Meghri floristic regions (Zangezur mountain range). EOO is 140 km2, AOO 12 km2, the number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan, Azerbaidjan, East Anatolia, Iran, Middle and Central Asia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitudes of 900–1800 meters above sea level, on stony slopes, in the steppe and oak open forests. Flowering in May, fruiting in June.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the expansion of arable lands, mining industry and grazing.

Conservation actions. Part of the population is situated at the territory of "Arevik" National park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.