Orchis provincialis
Orchis provincialis Balb.
Orchidaceae – Orchid family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(iv); C2a(i)]. BDA, BC, CITES(2).
Morphology and biology. Perennial plant with 2 ovoid tubers. Stems 15–35 cm high, with 3–6 rosette and 1–3 bract-like leaves. Basal leaves lanceolate, 5–15 × 1.5–2.5 cm, green, with dark spots. Inflorescence 5–20-flowered, lax. Flowers pale yellow, labellum with small red dots, shallow trilobed, convex, lateral lobes folded downwards. Spur 1.5–2 cm long, arched upwards. Fl. V(VI), fr. VI(VII). Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Grows in broad leaved and juniper shrubs, low growing deciduous woods and their margins, as well as in xerothermic grasslands. All subpopulations established during the past 15 years number below 30 individuals, some of them comprising only 3–10 individuals. Regular observations suggest a short life-cycle of the individual plants. There are data for recent extinction of the locality near Chernichino village.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (eastern – near Chakalarovo, Kirkovo, Lozengradtsi villages), Strandzha Mts (a single collection in 1921 near Kosti village); up to 400 m alt.
General distribution. N Mediterranean area and neighbouring countries to the north (France, Switzerland and Bulgaria).
Threats. Afforestation with pines; grazing in the localities during the flowering and fruiting season; collection of tubers for the folk medicine (‘salep’ preparation); limited distribution and low densities of the populations.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species by the Biodiversity Act. The known localities are within sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria. An Action plan for conservation of the species is in a process of elaboration.
Conservation measures needed. Studies on the distribution and population status continued; monitoring of the known populations; designation of some of the localities as protected territories; raising public awareness about the conservation value of the species.
References. Stojanov & Stefanov 1921; Vasileva & Vichodtsevski 1974; Petrova, Venkova, Gerasimova & Stojanov 2002; Trifonov 2005.
Author: Antoaneta Petrova
