Crataegus pontica: Red Data Book of Armenia

VU* B 1 ab(iii) + 2 ab(iii)

Category. Vulnerable species. It is rarely met within the whole area of distribution of the species. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The main area of distribution of the species is situated beyond the borders of Armenia, thus the category of threat has been downgraded to VU. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 2: Rare species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Small tree or shrub, 3–6 m. Leaves coriaceous, light green, softly pubescent from the both sides, entire, obovate or rhomb–shaped, 3–lobed with cuneate base, deeply 5–7–partite. Fruits yellow, rounded– ovate or pyriform, slightly ribbed, slightly pubescent; pyrenes 4–5.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Yerevan ("Khosrov" State reserve, Urtsadzor, Dagna) and Darelegis (village Areni) floristic regions. EOO is 280 km2, AOO is 16 km2, the number of locations is 4. Besides Armenia the species grows in Central and East Transcaucasia, Central and North–West Anatolia, Iraq, Iran, Middle Asia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts, at the altitudes of 800–1800 meters above sea level, on dry stony slopes, in oak and juniper open forests. Flowering in May, fruiting from June to October. Xerophyte decorative plant, melliferous, with valuable timber.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by forestry activity.

Conservation actions. Part of the population grows in "Khosrov Forest" State Reserve. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.