Lathyrus sylvestris: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Only one sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. Taking into consideration relatively wide range of general distribution of the species, the category of threat has been downgraded to EN. 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 herbs. Stems slender, widely winged, 50–200 cm. Leaflets 1–paired, rhomboid–elliptic or widely lanceolate, 6–14x1–4,5 cm. Peduncles longer than leaves, 3–10–flowered. Corolla variegate; flag 13–17 mm long. Legumes linear, 5–8 cm long. Seeds reticulate–torulose.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows only in Zangezur floristic region, "Shikahogh" State Resereve. AOO is 4 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in other regions of the Caucasus, Europe, North Anatolia, North–West Africa.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitude of 1000 meters above sea level, in the forests. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August.

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

Conservation actions. Grows in "Shikahogh" State Reserve. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.