Distribution of the species
Relatively rare on Mount Paggaio, where it has been recorded in a small number of sites. Almost all sites are located in the eastern part of the mountain, where we will see it in openings of oak forests and scrubs dominated by Quercus coccifera, at low and medium altitudes.
Description of the species (biological and ecological features)
In relatively small numbers in Paggaio. It is easily distinguished as it is the only orchid of Greece that flowers during autumn. It is a spindly plant (6-30 or 40 cm tall), with a characteristic root system consisting of 2-4 tuberous, oblong elliptical roots. Its stem is greyish-green, pubescent, with 3-7 sheaths. The inflorescence composes of 6-30 flowers, spirally arranged, a morphological feature from which its name derives. The flowering bracts are oval-elliptical, sharply pointed and pubescent on the outer surface. The flowers are small, nearly horizontal and greenish-white. The dorsal sepal, the petals and the lip form a narrow hood; the lateral sepals are divergent. The lip is 6-7 mm long, oblong, corrugated and greenish-white. It is mainly found on grasslands and less often in Mediterranean pine forests. It is easily distinguished as it is the only orchid that flowers in autumn. It is widely distributed, both in Greece and in the rest of Europe. However, its distribution range has been greatly reduced and it continues to decline in central Europe as a result of land use change and the effects of climate change. Although no such change in its distribution area has been observed in Greece, it is expected to follow the trend shown in the rest of Europe. Thus, it is considered one of the species that will suffer greatly from the devastating effects of climate change. We will see it in flower in September and October, sometimes in November.
Although its population size is small, no action has been observed that could cause its reduction. However, technical works could potentially threat the species, if they caused a destruction of the few sites where it has been recorded so far.
Conservation status
It is listed among the plant species of the Presidential Degree 67/81 (F.E.K. 23/Α/30-01-1981).
Conservation state
It is listed among the plant species of the Presidential Degree 67/81 (F.E.K. 23/Α/30-01-1981) “On the protection of native flora and fauna and defining a procedure for coordinating and controlling their research”, also as “Other Important Plant Species of Greece” by the 92/43/EEC Directive. Moreover, it is protected by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).