Epipactis tallosii

Epipactis tallosii is a European endemic found in Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. In Italy it is found in Zoppola in the province of Pordenone, and in Hungary between the Danube and Tisza rivers. The species can be found up to 100 m asl. (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010, Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009). The area of occupancy is below 500 km².

Epipactis tallosii is very rare and local with small and isolated populations over a scattered distribution. The population has a decreasing trend (Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009).

Epipactis tallosii is found in lowland mixed woodland (oak with Quercus cerris and Q. robur). It prefers moist, often acidic substrates. This species grows in shade and it flowers from July to August (Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009).

Epipactis tallosii is threatened by habitat loss caused by the destruction of forests, clearing of old trees, inappropriate woodland management, construction of forest roads, and drainage of high ground water. In addition, it is harmed by urbanisation,  tourism, recreational activities, and digging and consumption by animals (Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009).

The following actions are recommended to protect Epipactis tallosii;

• Protection of the woodland habitat from destruction, clearance and unsuitable management.
• Fencing vulnerable sites to protect the species from wild animals.
• Appropriate woodland management to control the amount of sunlight reaching the forest floor
• Sympathetic management of isolated populations.
• Avoid drainage of the habitat.
• Raise public awareness.
• Protection through legislation which bans collection of the species.
• Ex situ conservation: artificial propagation, re-introduction, seed collections.
• Monitoring and surveillance of existing populations and sites.
• Estimate the population size and study their dynamics.
  

(Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009).