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

Neottia ovata is widespread and common with a large distribution area. Local declines have been noted but the existing threats for the species and its habitats are unlikely to cause the populations to decline quickly in the near future. Therefore, Neottia ovata is assessed as Least Concern.

Neottia ovata is a European species but the range extends into Asia. In Europe the species is found north to Iceland, northern Scandinavia and south to the Mediterranean including Italy, Greece, and eastwards to Crimea and the Caucasus. The species can be found up to 2,400 m altitude (Bournérias and Prat 2005, Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009, Harrap and Harrap 2009, Lang 2004, Pignatti 1982, Rossi 2002, The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010, Vakhrameeva et al. 2008).

Neottia ovata is very widespread and common in the temperate zone, but rare in Mediterranean Europe. The size and trend of the populations is unknown. In Britain, the total loss of the species between 1500 and 1999 was 27.5% and in Ireland, it was 29% of the area. (Bournérias and Prat 2005, Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009, Harrap and Harrap 2009, Lang 2004, Pignatti 1982, Rossi 2002, Vakhrameeva et al. 2008).

Neottia ovata is found in a wide range of habitat including grassland, garrigue, shrubs, bogs, dune slacks, fens and woodland. It prefers dry to wet, slightly acidic soils and often calcareous soils and grows in full sunlight to shade. Flowering time is from May to July (Bournérias and Prat 2005, Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009, Harrap and Harrap 2009, Lang 2004, Pignatti 1982, Rossi 2002, Vakhrameeva et al. 2008).

Neottia ovata is declining locally due to extreme temperatures, agricultural use of lowland and deforestation. Urbanisation, trampling and tourism are affecting this species (Bournérias and Prat 2005, Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009, Harrap and Harrap 2009, Lang 2004, Pignatti 1982, Rossi 2002, Vakhrameeva et al. 2008).

There are no known uses.

All orchid species are included under Annex B of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This orchid is listed as Near Threatened in the national red list of Belarus (Ermakova 2005), but is classed as Least Concern on most other national red lists. The following actions are recommended to protect Neottia ovata:

• Protection of the habitat, especially the lowland from ploughing and agricultural use.  
• Fencing the vulnerable sites to protect the species from wild animals.
• Sympathetic management of isolated populations.
• Raise public awareness.
• 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. 

(Bournérias and Prat 2005, Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009, Harrap and Harrap 2009, Lang 2004, Pignatti 1982, Rossi 2002, Vakhrameeva et al. 2008).