Orchis pyramidal

Anacamptis pyramidalis is widespread and sometimes abundant where it occurs. This species is suffering from reduction in habitat quality and extent, mainly due to its garrigue and steppe habitats being considered as ‘wasteland’. However, the habitat has been destroyed by infrastructure development, quarrying, and other land uses. The quality of the habitat is declining due to invasive species, particularly ruderals and aliens, and through inappropriate landscaping or deforestation for agriculture (Lang 2004, Bournérias et al. 2005, Harrap 2009, Delforge 1995).

All orchids are included under Annex B of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive under the synonym Anacamptis urvilleana. This species is a protected plant in some countries including Belgium, Luxembourg, and some regions in France, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The following actions are recommended to protect Anacamptis pyramidalis:

• Moderate grazing.
• Created man-made habitat such us road side verges.
• Protection of the living individuals of the species through legislation and legal protection which ban the species from being picked or dug up.
• Ex situ conservation: Artificial propagation, re-introduction, seed collections.
• Monitoring and surveillance of the existing populations and sites.
• Estimate the population size and study their dynamics.

(Lang 2004, Delforge 1995, Bournérias et al. 2005, Harrap 2009).