Review of Orchidaceae of the northern part of Kazakhstan

Abstract

We present a review of Orchidaceae Juss. of the northern part of Kazakhstan, within the steppe, forest-steppe and semi-desert habitats of the country (Pavlodar, northern Kazakhstan, Kostanay, Akmola, Aktobe, West Kazakhstan, partially Karaganda and East Kazakhstan regions). The investigation is based on herbarium materials, literature data and field observations. We examined material from the following herbarium collections: LE, MW, TK, MHA, SVER, KUZ, ALTB, AA, NUR, KG, KSPI, NS, NSK, MOSP, ORIS, PPIU, totalling 288 herbarium specimens. The paper presents data in the form of revision, focusing on orchids of the northern part of Kazakhstan. It is accompanied by maps indicating localities, notes on habitat preferences, phenology and conservation status. A total of 25 species of 16 genera were recorded, of which eight are included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (2014). According to our data, we propose to enlarge the number of protected orchids by adding the following nine species: Corallorhiza trifida, Epipactis atrorubens, Gymnadenia conopsea, Hammarbya paludosa, Herminium monorchis, Liparis loeselii, Malaxis monophyllos, Neottia camtschatea and Spiranthes australis. The most widespread species in the studied region are Dactylorhiza incarnata, D. umbrosa and Epipactis palustris. The rarest species (single locality only) are Epipactis atrorubens, E. helleborine, Epipogium aphyllum, Hammarbya paludosa and Herminium monorchis.