Fragrant Orchid
Gymnadenia conopsea
Gymnadenia conopsea, commonly known as the fragrant orchid or chalk fragrant orchid, is a herbaceous plant of the family Orchidaceae native to northern Europe.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnadenia_conopsea
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Genus
Gymnadenia
Fragrant Orchid belongs to the family Orchidaceae, order Asparagales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Gymnadenia conopsea, commonly known as the fragrant orchid or chalk fragrant orchid, is a herbaceous plant of the family Orchidaceae native to northern Europe.
The Fragrant Orchid faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its preferred grassland and meadow ecosystems. Agricultural intensification, including increased fertilizer use and conversion of traditional hay meadows to intensive farming, has eliminated much of its suitable habitat. Climate change and reduced grazing pressure that maintains the open habitats this species requires further compound these threats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
The species is almost exclusively pollinated by moths (Lepidoptera). The most common pollinators are the small elephant hawk-moth (Deilephila porcellus), hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum), silver Y (Autographa gamma), burnished brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) and large yellow underwing (Noctua pronuba). Fruit set is high with an average of 73%. The seed's germination is conditioned...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Fragrant Orchid faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its preferred grassland and meadow ecosystems. Agricultural intensification, including increased fertilizer use and conversion of traditional hay meadows to intensive farming, has eliminated much of its suitable habitat. Climate change and reduced grazing pressure that maintains the open habitats this species requires further compound these threats.
Fertilizer application and nutrient enrichment
Grassland degradation and abandonment
Habitat loss from agricultural intensification
Climate change impacts
Reduced traditional grazing management
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | 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
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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). Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/fragrant-orchid