Crataegus tournefortii: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Vulnerable species. Two sub–populations are known. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. The category of threat has been downgraded to VU because of wide area of general distribution. 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, 2–2,5 m. Leaves from above dark green, covered with short adpressed crisped hairs, from below more light, with dense grayish pubescence; petioles villose. Inflorescence few– flowered. Fruits cherry–red.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Idjevan (neighborhoods of Koti village) and Zangezur (Goris and neighborhoods of Adjabadzh village) floristic regions. EOO is 3935 km2, AOO is 16 km2, the number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan, Europe, Crimea.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1300–1400 meters above sea level, at the edges of oak and hornbeam forests, in the steppe shrubs. Flowering from May to July, fruiting from August to October.

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

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.