Onobrychis meschetica: Red Data Book of Armenia

CR B 1 ab(i,ii,iii) + 2 ab(i,ii,iii)

Category. Critically endangered species. Endemic of Transcaucasia. One sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 10 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 herbs 40–60 cm. Leaflets of the middle and upper leaves elliptic bluntly rounded an apex. Inflorescence many– flowered, elongating after flowering. Corolla yellow, with fine pink stripes. Flag pubescent on the outside, 14–17 mm long. Legumes reniform, pedunculate, glabrous, shiny, 10–14 mm long; dorsal suture of legume curved.

Distribution. The species grows in Zangezur floristic region (surroundings of Shamb village and Tatev hydropower station). AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 1. Besides Armenia the species grows in Central and South–West Transcaucasia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitude of 600–1400 meters above sea level, in the shibliak. Flowering from May to June, fruiting from June to July.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, small density of the population, recreational impact.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: survey on population numbers and range, search of new habitats, monitoring of the state of the population.