Astragalus sukaczevii: Red Data Book of Armenia

VU B 1 ab(i,ii,iii,iv) + 2 ab(i,ii,iii,iv)

Category. Vulnerable species. The area of distribution is fragmented. The extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, 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. Perennial stemless plant 5–20 cm, covered with bipartite hairs. Leaves simple, sometimes 1–2 (3–4)–paired, ash–green, from below densely covered with appressed hairs. Flower stalks from the centre of leaf rosette, 4–20 cm long. Inflorescence 5–20–flowered. Corolla in the beginning of flowering yellow, later yellowish–brown. Legumes linear.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Sevan (surroundings of Daranak and Artanish villages) and Yerevan (mountain range Yeranos, neighboring of Artashat) floristic regions. EOO is 3030 km2, AOO is 28 km2, the number of locations is 4. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle and upper mountain belts, at the altitudes of 1200–2000 meters above sea level, on lime and stony slopes, among semi–desert vegetation, in oak and juniper open forests. Flowering from April to May, fruiting from May to June.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by land development for arable purposes.

Conservation actions. Part of the population grows in "Sevan" National Park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.