Pyrus elata: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Endemic of Armenia. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy is less than 500 km2. 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. High tree, more than 20 m, with pyramidate crown and spiny branches. Leaves rounded– rhomboidal, large, 8,5–10 x 4–5 cm; at margins undulate and serrate, with tenuiter aristulate teeth; at apex suddenly acutate; at base narrower; glabrous or slightly pubescent from below. Fruits pyriform, 5 x 4 cm, greenish–yellow; fructifer pedicel up to 3 cm.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Darelegis (Yeghegis river gorge) and Meghri (Djindara, Mulk) floristic regions. EOO is 440 km2, AOO is 12 s km2, the number of locations is 2.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle and upper mountain belts, at the altitudes of 1400–2300 meters above sea level, in broad–leaved forests. Flowering from April to May, fruiting from June to September.

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

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