Platanthera sinica
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Platanthera sinica faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in China and adjacent regions. The species' specialized pollination requirements and mycorrhizal dependencies make it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as small isolated populations struggle to maintain viable breeding cycles. Collection for traditional medicine and horticultural trade has further reduced wild populations, while climate change threatens the cool, moist conditions essential for this terrestrial orchid's survival.
Habitat
This terrestrial orchid inhabits cool, moist grasslands, meadows, and forest margins at elevations between 1,000-3,000 meters across mountainous regions of China. The species requires well-drained but consistently moist soils with specific mycorrhizal fungi partnerships, typically found in areas with partial shade and protection from extreme weather.