Pyrus hyrcana: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Two sub–populations are known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are 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. Tree up to 25 m, without spines. Leaves finely tomentose from below, acutiserrate, ovate, 5–8 x 3–5 cm, obtusate or slightly acuminate at apex, truncate or almost cordate at base; petioles thin, long, almost equal to blades. Fruits solitary or by 2 (3), compressed–globose, 2,5–3 cm in diameter; calyx lobes at fruits erect, crown–shaped, finely tomentose; pedicles short.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Zangezur (Vachagan, Tsav, Khustup Mountain) and Meghri (Shvanidzor) floristic regions. EOO is 200 km2, AOO is 16 km2, the number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia grows in Talish and North Iran (Elburs).

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle and upper mountain belts, at the altitudes of 1200–2100 meters above sea level, in the forests and forest edges. Flowering from April to May, fruiting from June to August.

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

Conservation actions. Part of the population grows in the area of "Shikahogh" State Reserve. Necessary: survey on population numbers and range, search of new habitats, monitoring of the state of the population.