Colutea komarovii: Red Data Book of Armenia

CR B 1 ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) + 2 ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v); C 2a; D

Category. Critically endangered species. Only one population is known. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 10 square kilometers. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 1: Endangered species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Glaucous, xerophytic shrub 0,5–1 m. Leaves 12–20 mm long; leaflets 1–3–paired, almost round, 2–6 x 2–4 mm, terminal leaflet larger than others. Inflorescence 1–3–flowered. Corolla dark red–brown; flag widely rounded, 10–12 x 9–11 mm. Legumes inflated, oval, glabrous, 15–25 x 15 mm. Seeds 2–6.

Distribution. It grows in Meghri floristic region (between the settlements Karchevan and Meghri, Tsirani Dzor gorge). AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Nakhichevan, recently it has been discovered in Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitude of 700–1000 meters above sea level, among phryganoid vegetation, on stony slopes. Flowering in April, fruiting from May to June. The species is adapted to severely arid conditions. The leaflets fall at the beginning of summer and photosynthesis still continues in the axis of the leaves.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, small density of the population, loss/degradation of habitats caused by land development.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: establishment of new specially protected nature area in the surroundings of Agarak settlement in Meghri region, monitoring of the population state.