Orchids of the Constantine region: inventory and conservation

Abstract

The study carried out on the orchids of the Constantine region has proved to be very fruitful both in terms of the number of taxa identified and the number of stations sampled. A series of surveys carried out by the authors between 2019 and 2022 resulted in the inventory of 8 genera, including 35 species/subspecies and 1 hybrid. Some species have a wide distribution across the territory of the said wilaya (Ophrys tenthredinifera subsp. ficalhoana, O. lutea subsp. lutea), while others are very localized (Himantoglossum robertianum, Ophrys atlantica, O. pallida and Orchis purpurea). Among the plant formations found in the Constantine region, the pine forests are affected by a great orchidological diversity, followed by the oak groves and neighboring lawns. Among the taxa observed, seven are classified as rare or very rare nationwide and at least five are endemic (Androrchis pauciflora subsp. laeta, A. pa ens subsp. patens, Ophrys battandieri, O. numida and Serapias lingua subsp . stenopetala). The orchid flora studied highlights the taxonomic richness of the region and confirms the interest of its prospection.