Greater Butterfly-orchid
EN

Greater Butterfly-orchid

Platanthera chlorantha

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platanthera_chlorantha

Overview

Platanthera chlorantha, commonly known as greater butterfly-orchid, is a species of orchid in the genus Platanthera. It can be found throughout Europe and Morocco. The name Platanthera is derived from Greek, meaning "broad anthers", while the species name, chlorantha, means "green-flowered".

The Greater Butterfly-orchid faces severe decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification, urban development, and changes in traditional land management practices. The species is particularly vulnerable because it depends on specific mycorrhizal fungi for germination and growth, making it sensitive to soil disturbance and chemical inputs.

Threat summary

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 Greater Butterfly-orchid classified as Endangered?
Greater Butterfly-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 Greater Butterfly-orchid faces severe decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification, urban development, and changes in traditional land management practices. The species is particularly vulnerable because it depends on specific mycorrhizal fungi for germination and growth, making it sensitive to soil disturbance and chemical inputs.
Where does Greater Butterfly-orchid live?
Greater Butterfly-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 Greater Butterfly-orchid?
The main threats to Greater Butterfly-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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