Cephalanthera epipactoides (Orchidaceae) in Russia

Abstract

Twenty species of the orchid genus Cephalanthera are known in the World and seven species occur in Russia. One of them, restricted in Russia to the Black Sea coastal area of the Krasnodarsky Krai in the North Caucasus, has a long story of misidentifications and taxonomic confusions. The present study revealed that the correct name for this species is Cephalanthera epipactoides while it was previously known in Russia as either C. cucullata or C. kurdica (= C. floribunda). The lectotype of C. epipactoides is designated. Morphological description of the species is provided with measurements of the main parameters. The distribution of C. epipactoides in Russia is summarised on the base of herbarium specimens, data from the «Plantarium» website, field observations, and previously published records; the species is known here along approximately 125 km from the environs of Anapa to Dzhubga. The Russian part of the species range is isolated from its main area of distribution; the nearest locality in Turkey is about 365 km away from Dzhubga (linear distance). The population quantity of the species in Russia is very low. Cephalanthera epipactoides is highly threatened in Russia; its conservation status is «critically endangered». Further study of the species is recommended, in particular, in relation to its pollination ecology.

Keywords

• black sea coastal area
• caucasus
• distribution
• lectotype
• orchids
• taxonomy