Red Helleborine
EN

Red Helleborine

Cephalanthera rubra

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Red Helleborine faces severe decline across its European range due to intensive forestry practices that eliminate the mature deciduous and mixed woodlands it requires. The species' dependence on specific mycorrhizal fungi makes it extremely vulnerable to soil disturbance and changes in forest composition. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions necessary for both the orchid and its fungal partners to thrive.

Threat summary

Habitat

Red Helleborine inhabits mature deciduous and mixed forests, particularly beech and oak woodlands with calcareous soils. It favors semi-shaded areas with stable moisture levels and undisturbed forest floor conditions that support its essential mycorrhizal fungal partners.

Other threatened species in Orchidaceae

CR

Huntleya apiculata

Unknown
Masdevallia niesseniaeCR

Masdevallia niesseniae

Unknown
Encyclia nematocaulonCR

Encyclia nematocaulon

Unknown
Lepanthes diaziaeCR

Lepanthes diaziae

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

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Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
EN

knopphodeedderkopp

Walckenaeria nodosa

Unknown
EN

Dolichopus notatus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Red Helleborine classified as Endangered?
Red Helleborine 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. Red Helleborine faces severe decline across its European range due to intensive forestry practices that eliminate the mature deciduous and mixed woodlands it requires. The species' dependence on specific mycorrhizal fungi makes it extremely vulnerable to soil disturbance and changes in forest composition. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions necessary for both the orchid and its fungal partners to thrive.
Where does Red Helleborine live?
Red Helleborine occurs in Åland Islands, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, and Austria (plus 49 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Red Helleborine?
The main threats to Red Helleborine 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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