Crataegus szovitsii: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Critically endangered species. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The species grows in the area of intensive economic 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. Shrub or small tree with brownish–grey bark, 1–2 m. Spines usually few, thin. Leaves solid, glaucous, adpressed pubescent, broadly ovate–rhomboid, with 3–5 narrow lobes. Inflorescence dense, 10–12–flowered, tomentose–white. Fruits almost globose, ribbed, slightly pubescent, reddish; pyrenes 3–4.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Darelegis floristic region, in neighborhoods of Yeghegnadzor. AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan, East Transcaucasia, Karabagh, Anatolia, Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitude of 1200–1300 meters above sea level, at forest edges, in the shibliak. Flowering in May fruiting in July– Octember.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, search of new habitats.