Orchis provincialis

Provence Orchid

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Common name

Provence Orchid

Scientific name

Orchis provincialis Balbis ex Lamarck & DC.

Conservation status and threats

PROTECTED species in Bulgaria.

The species is listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria to the category "Critically Endangered". 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^[1].

Description and identification

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. Flowering May (June), fr. VI (VII). Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds^[2].

Habitat

Grows in broad leaved and juniper shrubs, low growing deciduous woods and their margins, as well as in xerothermic grasslands^[3].

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^[4].

General distribution

Northern Mediterranean area and neighbouring countries to the north (France, Switzerland and Bulgaria)^[5].

Sources

[1] Antoaneta Petrova. 2015. In: Peev, D. et al. (Eds.) 2015. Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. Volume 1. Plants and Fungi. BAS & MoEW, Sofia.

[2] Antoaneta Petrova. 2015. In: Peev, D. et al. (Eds.) 2015. Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. Volume 1. Plants and Fungi. BAS & MoEW, Sofia.

[3] Antoaneta Petrova. 2015. In: Peev, D. et al. (Eds.) 2015. Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. Volume 1. Plants and Fungi. BAS & MoEW, Sofia.

[4] Antoaneta Petrova. 2015. In: Peev, D. et al. (Eds.) 2015. Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. Volume 1. Plants and Fungi. BAS & MoEW, Sofia.

[5] Antoaneta Petrova. 2015. In: Peev, D. et al. (Eds.) 2015. Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. Volume 1. Plants and Fungi. BAS & MoEW, Sofia.

Orchis provincialis на български

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