Early-purple Orchid
Orchis mascula
Orchis mascula, the early-purple orchid, early spring orchis, is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family, Orchidaceae.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Juanita Zorrilla Pujana, all rights reserved, uploaded by Juanita Zorrilla Pujana
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Genus
Orchis
Early-purple Orchid belongs to the family Orchidaceae, order Asparagales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Orchis mascula, the early-purple orchid, early spring orchis, is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family, Orchidaceae.
The Early-purple Orchid faces significant decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation from agricultural intensification, urban development, and changes in traditional land management practices. Overgrazing, woodland management changes, and climate change are reducing suitable habitat availability across its range.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This orchid is devoid of nectar and attracts pollinating insects (bees and wasps of the genera Apis, Bombus, Eucera, Andrena, Psithyrus and Xylocopa, and sometimes beetles) with the appearance of its flower which mimics other species. Orchids in the genus Orchis form mycorrhizal partnerships mainly with fungi in the family Tulasnellaceae. Orchis mascula has been suggested to have only one...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
The Early-purple Orchid faces significant decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation from agricultural intensification, urban development, and changes in traditional land management practices. Overgrazing, woodland management changes, and climate change are reducing suitable habitat availability across its range.
Agricultural intensification and land conversion
Habitat fragmentation and urbanization
Changes in woodland and grassland management
Climate change impacts on habitat suitability
Overgrazing by livestock
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (EN).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Early-purple Orchid (Orchis mascula). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/early-purple-orchid