Early-purple Orchid
EN

Early-purple Orchid

Orchis mascula

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Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Juanita Zorrilla Pujana, all rights reserved, uploaded by Juanita Zorrilla Pujana

Overview

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.

Threat summary

Habitat

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...

Other threatened species in Orchidaceae

CR

Huntleya apiculata

Unknown
Masdevallia niesseniaeCR

Masdevallia niesseniae

Unknown
Encyclia nematocaulonCR

Encyclia nematocaulon

Unknown
Lepanthes diaziaeCR

Lepanthes diaziae

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Early-purple Orchid classified as Endangered?
Early-purple Orchid is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. 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.
Where does Early-purple Orchid live?
Early-purple Orchid occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Early-purple Orchid?
The main threats to Early-purple Orchid are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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