Epipogium aphyllum: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 1: Endangered species. It is included in the Annex of CITES as representative of Orchidaceae family. It is not included in the Annexes of the Bern Convention.

Description. Achlorophyllous, obligate mycotrophic rootless perennial herb with short, fleshy, coral–shaped rhizome and thin stolons. Flower stalks 10–20 cm, glabrous, thick. Raceme at early stages nodding, then straight. Flowers yellowish, fragrant. Spur thick, obtuse, light violet.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Idjevan (surroundings of Dilidjan) and Lori (surroundings of Stepanavan) floristic regions. EOO is 205 km2, AOO is 12 km2, the number of locations is 2. The species is distributed in the whole of Eurasia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitudes of 1300–1700 meters above sea level, in forests, on the soils rich in humus. Flowering from July to August, fruiting from August to October.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, fragmented distribution, loss/degradation of habitats caused by forestry activities (deforestation) and recreational trampling.

Conservation actions. One of the populations is situated in "Dilidjan" National Park. Necessary: monitoring of the state of the populations, search of new habitats.