Calligonum polygonoides: Red Data Book of Armenia

CR B 1 ab(i,ii,iii,v) + 2 ab(i,ii,iii,v)

Category. Critically endangered species. One sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The species faces extinction caused by excavation of sands, grazing and the expansion of arable lands. 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. Divaricate branched shrub up to 1,5 m, with articulate branches. Leaves small, reduced. Perianth simple. Fruit densely covered with branched seta, forming wings.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows only in Yerevan floristic region (neighborhoods of Vedi town). AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan, Anatolia, Iraq, Iran, Turkmenia, Pakistan.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 850–950 meters above sea level, in sandy desert. Flowering in May, fruiting in June.

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

Conservation actions. Grows in "Sands of Goravan" reservation included into the "Khosrov Forest" State Reserve. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.