Pyrus theodorovi: 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 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 5–7 m, with small sparse spines. Leaves obovate or narrowly elliptic, 3–5 (7) x 1,2–1,8 cm, at base rotundate or shortly broadly cuneate, at apex obtuse with short mucro, smooth–edged, from the both sides densely silvery tomentose; petioles 1,5–2 cm long. Fruits solitary, globose, 2,5–3 cm in diameter; calyx lobes at fruits broadly triangular, horizontally spreading.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Gegham (Geghard) and Yerevan (Vedi, mountain Kotuts) floristic regions. EOO is 290 km2, AOO is 40 km2, the number of locations is 3.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1400–1800 meters above sea level, in arid open forests. Flowering from April to May, fruiting from June to September.

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

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