Lathyrus setifolius: Red Data Book of Armenia

VU* 1 ab(i,ii,iii) + 2 ab i,ii,iii)

Category. Vulnerable species. Only one sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. Taking into consideration wide range of general distribution of the species, the category of threat has been downgraded to VU. 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. Annual plants. Stems slender, branched, up to 60 cm. Leaflets 1–paired, linear–lanceolate, 2–10 x 1–3 mm; leaf rachis ending in branched tendril. Peduncles 10–30 mm long, 1–flowered. Corolla pinkish–violet; flag 8–10 mm long. Legumes oblong–oval, 20–30 x 8–10 mm, at base narrowed into pedicel, with 2 (3) large verrucose seeds.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Zangezur floristic region, in the slopes of Vorotan mountain pass and “Shikahogh” State Reserve. EOO is 400 km2, AOO is 20 km2, the number of locations is 3. Besides Armenia the species grows in Karabagh, South Europe, Anatolia, West Syria, North Africa.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 650–1000 meters above sea level, in the forest, shibliak, on the stony slopes. Flowering in May, fruiting from May to June.

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

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