Royal Helleborine
Epipactis atrorubens
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epipactis_atrorubens
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Genus
Epipactis
Royal Helleborine belongs to the family Orchidaceae, order Asparagales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Royal Helleborine faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion, urban development, and quarrying activities that destroy its specialized calcareous substrates. Climate change and altered precipitation patterns threaten the delicate moisture balance required for this orchid's survival, while overcollection by orchid enthusiasts has further reduced wild populations.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Calcareous grasslands, limestone pavements, and alkaline soils in open woodlands, typically on steep slopes and rocky outcrops with good drainage. Also found in dune slacks, quarries, and disturbed calcareous sites from sea level to montane elevations.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Royal Helleborine faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion, urban development, and quarrying activities that destroy its specialized calcareous substrates. Climate change and altered precipitation patterns threaten the delicate moisture balance required for this orchid's survival, while overcollection by orchid enthusiasts has further reduced wild populations.
Climate change altering moisture regimes
Habitat loss from agricultural conversion and development
Quarrying and mining of limestone substrates
Grazing pressure and trampling
Overcollection for horticultural trade
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 |
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). Royal Helleborine (Epipactis atrorubens). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/royal-helleborine