Green-winged Orchid
Anacamptis morio
Anacamptis morio, the green-winged orchid or green-veined orchid, is a flowering plant of the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It usually has purple flowers, and is found in Europe, Northern Africa and western Asia.
56
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacamptis_morio
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Genus
Anacamptis
Green-winged Orchid belongs to the family Orchidaceae, order Asparagales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Anacamptis morio, the green-winged orchid or green-veined orchid, is a flowering plant of the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It usually has purple flowers, and is found in Europe, Northern Africa and western Asia.
The Green-winged Orchid faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development of its grassland habitats. Changes in traditional land management practices, particularly the abandonment of extensive grazing and hay-making, have led to scrubland encroachment and loss of suitable open conditions.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
It is a native of western Eurasia, ranging from Europe to Iran, and Northern Africa from Morocco to Tunisia. In the British Isles it is found in central-southern England, Wales and Ireland. It grows in unimproved grassy meadows, especially on limestone-rich soil. This species thrives where grass is cut once or twice a year after flowering is complete, or where it is grazed after flowering is...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
The Green-winged Orchid faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development of its grassland habitats. Changes in traditional land management practices, particularly the abandonment of extensive grazing and hay-making, have led to scrubland encroachment and loss of suitable open conditions.
Abandonment of traditional extensive grazing practices
Agricultural intensification and conversion of grasslands
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Climate change affecting flowering and pollination timing
Scrubland encroachment due to lack of management
Found in 56 Countries
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 | NTNear Threatened | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | NTNear Threatened | 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
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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). Green-winged Orchid (Anacamptis morio). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/green-winged-orchid