Dactylorhiza traunsteineri (Orchidaceae) in Murmansk Region (Russia)

Abstract

The current distribution of Dactylorhiza traunsteineri (Saut. ex Soó) Soó (= Dactylorhiza lapponica (Laest. ex Hartm.) Soó = D. majalis (Rchb.) P.F. Hunt & Summerh. subsp. lapponica (Laest. ex Hartm.) H. Sund.) in Murmansk Region, Russia, is limited to two occurrences. Almost all the historical herbarium specimens from the area proved to be D. maculata (L.) Soó. The taxonomy of the complex is discussed. A newly discovered population of D. traunsteineri is described in detail. The fitness of northern populations of D. traunsteineri is reduced according to a variety of measures. The species is probably at the risk of extirpation in the north because of narrow phytosociological and ecological amplitudes and low seed production. The status of this species in the regional Red Data Book should be ’Critically Endangered’.