European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)

Orchis italica is rather local but sometimes abundant. Its extent of occurrence and area of occupancy exceed 20,000 km² and 2,000 km² respectively. The existing threats for the species and the habitat are unlikely to cause the populations to decline severely in the near future, especially if the recommended conservation measures are being applied. Therefore, Orchis italica is assessed as Least Concern.

Orchis italica is a Mediterranean species that extends in the north from Dalmatia, to central Italy, northern Portugal, into North Africa and Turkey. It is widespread throughout central and southern Italy and in Sicily; but is absent from Sardinia and from northern Italy with the exception of a few old and unconfirmed records from Lombardy. The species can be found up to 1,300 m altitude (Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009, Kretzschmar et al. 2007, Pignatti 1982, Rossi 2002).

Orchis italica is rather local but sometimes abundant. As far as population size is concerned, no precise counting has ever been made; however, there are many strong and large populations. The trend of the population remains unknown but many sites have been declining everywhere (Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009, Kretzschmar et al. 2007, Pignatti 1982, Rossi 2002).

Orchis italica grows in short, poor grassland, open garrigue, scrub, woodland edges and open woodland. It prefers alkaline to acidic, dry to moist soils, mostly calcareous and stony substrates. This species favours full sunlight to mid-shade and flowers from beginning of March to mid-May (Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009, Kretzschmar et al. 2007, Pignatti 1982, Rossi 2002).

Orchis italica is declining due to numerous anthropogenic threats including urbanisation, building projects, expansion of infrastructure, overgrazing, deforestation, tourism and plant collection (Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009, Kretzschmar et al. 2007, Rossi 2002).

The bulb is very nutritious when cooked. It is a source of 'salep', a fine white to yellowish-white powder that is obtained by drying the tuber and grinding it into a powder. Salep is a starch-like substance which can be made into a drink, added to cereals or to bread. It can be prepared in the same way as arrowroot. A jelly can be made from the salep which is used to treat irritations of the gastro-intestinal canal (Plants For a Future 2010).

All orchid species are included under Annex B of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The following actions are recommended to protect Orchis italica;

• Protection of the habitat, especially the open grassland and woodland from infrastructure expansion and fires.
• Monitor the grazing to stop the overtaking of small populations and to limit the competition with other species.
• Fencing off vulnerable sites.
• Raise public awareness.
• Control and management of the salep production from the tubers.
• Protection of the living individuals through legislation which bans 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.

(Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009, Kretzschmar et al. 2007, Rossi 2002)