Amygdalus nairica: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of South Transcaucasia. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. 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. Diffuse, branched, with very spiny branches shrub, 1–2 m. Leaves semicoriaceous, glabrous, oblong–lanceolate, smooth–edged or crenate–serrate, 2–2,5 (3) x 0,6–0,8 cm, narrowed into petiole. Fruits ovate–oval, velutine, compressed, with small mucro.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Zangezur (Vorotan river valley) and Meghri (Araks river valley) floristic regions. EOO is 940 km2, AOO is 60 km2, the number of locations is 5. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhivchevan.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitudes of 600–1800 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, on screes, among phryganoid vegetation, in arid open forests. Flowering in April–May, fruiting in July–September.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by the intensity of mining industry and development of lands for arable purposes.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: establishment of specially protected nature area in the neighborhoods of Agarak settlement in Meghri region, monitoring of the population state.