327
Abstract
Albeit rich in a number of taxa, flora of Orchidaceae in Bosnia and Herzegovina 
has not been sufficiently studied. The paper presents distribution of ten rare 
and threatened orchid taxa in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serapias 
bergonii and Himantoglossum calcaratum subsp. rumelicum are new for Bosnia and 
Herzegovina, while for other studied taxa (Serapias parviflora, Serapias vomeracea, 
Himantoglossum adriaticum, H. calcaratum subsp. calcaratum, Gymnadenia frivaldii, 
Pseudorchis albida, Orchis quadripunctata, Cypripedium calceolus) in addition to 
field investigation, checking and revision of herbarium material, as well as literature 
sources were also used for supplementing distribution data. The distribution maps 
of these taxa in Bosnia and Herzegovina are created on a 10 km × 10 km MGRS 
grid system. Based on the IUCN Red List criteria, the threat status in Bosnia 
and Herzegovina was assessed for all studied taxa. Data concerning their habitat 
preferences and population size are also provided.
Izvleček
Čeprav je družina Orchidaceae v Bosni in Hercegovini vrstno bogata še ni dovolj 
preučena. V članku predstavljamo razširjenost desetih redkih in ogroženih orhidej 
na območju Bosne in Hercegovine. Serapias bergonii in Himantoglossum calcaratum 
subsp. rumelicum sta novi za Bosno in Hercegovino, za druge preučevane taksone 
(Serapias parviflora, Serapias vomeracea, Himantoglossum adriaticum, H. calcaratum 
subsp. calcaratum, Gymnadenia frivaldii, Pseudorchis albida, Orchis quadripunctata, 
Cypripedium calceolus) pa smo s terenskimi raziskavami, preverjanjem in revizijo 
herbarijskega materiala in literaturnih virov dopolnili podatke o razširjenosti. 
Karte razširjenosti teh taksonov v Bosni in Hercegovini smo prikazali na mrežnem 
MGRS sistemu 10 km × 10 km. Na osnovi kriterijev Rdečega seznama IUCN smo 
ocenili ogroženost vseh preučevanih taksonov v Bosni in Hercegovini. Prikazali 
smo tudi podatke o rastiščnih potrebah in velikosti populacij.
On the distribution and conservation status 
of some rare orchid taxa (Orchidaceae) in 
Bosnia and Herzegovina (Western Balkans)
Key words: Dinaric Alps, 
Himantoglossum, IUCN 
conservation status, phytogeography, 
Serapias, Western Balkans.
Ključne besede: Dinarske Alpe, 
Himantoglossum, IUCN ohranitveni 
status, fitogeografija, Serapias, 
Zahodni Balkan.
Corresponding author:
Đorđije Milanović
E-mail:  
djordjije.milanovic@sf.unibl.org
Received: 2. 11. 2021
Accepted: 4. 2. 2022
1 University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Forestry, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
2 University of Tuzla, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
3 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden „Jevremovac“, Belgrade, Serbia.
4 University „Džemal Bijedić“ in Mostar, Teachers Faculty, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
5 University of Niš, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Niš, Serbia.
Đorđije Milanović1 , Vladimir Stupar1 , Elvedin Šabanović2 , Vladan Djordjević3 , 
Jugoslav Brujić1 , Aldin Boškailo4  & Vladimir Ranđelović5
DOI: 10.2478/hacq-2022-000521/2 • 2022, 327–346
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
328
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Introduction
The family of orchids (Orchidaceae) has always attracted 
special attention among botanists, owing to the variety, 
size, and beauty of their flowers, their very specific way 
of life and reproduction, and their extraordinary diversity 
of species. As a consequence of their very small size and 
lack of nutrients, orchid seeds cannot germinate indepen-
dently, as is the case with most other flowering plants, but 
must enter into a complex symbiotic relationship with 
certain fungal species (Arditti, 1967). Because mycorrhi-
zal development is conditioned by a very narrow range 
of specific soil properties, many orchid species are closely 
tied to particular habitats and have a very limited ecologi-
cal niche (IUCN/SSC Orchid Specialist Group, 1996). 
The development of a new individual from seed can take 
up to 10 years, which in turn can lead to infrequent oc-
currence of specimens at the same microsite, as well as a 
large variation in the number of individuals in a popula-
tion from year to year (Rasmussen, 1995). Furthermore, 
many orchid species have very specific pollinators with 
limited geographical ranges to which they have adapted 
the structure of their flowers and with which their range 
is causally related (Schiestl & Schlüter, 2009). As a result, 
a large number of orchids are considered rare and endan-
gered in many countries and protected by international 
legal provisions (CITES, 1975; Council of the European 
Communities, 1992).
Given all these features, a large number of botanists 
specializing in the taxonomy and ecology of orchids de-
scribed a large number of taxa, especially in the last 30–40 
years. For example, in the mid-1980s, about 19,000 spe-
cies were known (Atwood, 1986; Dressler, 2005), while 
today the number of described orchid species has reached 
about 28,000 (Christenhusz & Byng, 2016). According to 
some updated comprehensive analyses, the family counts 
27,135 species (Zotz, 2013), although these data should 
be taken with caution, as a considerable number of new 
taxa are described each year. Such big numbers, with up to 
730–880 genera described (Chase et al., 2015; Givnish et 
al., 2016), make the family Orchidaceae one of the largest 
families of vascular plants on earth. Orchidologists believe 
that there is still a large number of undescribed species, 
especially in unexplored parts of tropical rainforests.
The European continent is inhabited by considerably 
smaller number of taxa of exclusively terrestrial orchids 
(Dressler, 1981), as the climate is unsuitable for the de-
velopment of epiphytes. Albeit, the interest of European 
botanists in the study of orchids does not lag behind the 
world trends. This is evidenced by more than 30 profes-
sional associations devoted exclusively to this family and 
no less than 21 journals devoted exclusively to orchids (ac-
cording to https://www.europeanorchidcouncil.eu/). The 
result of a very narrow understanding of the species by 
some orchidologists is the estimate that about 600 species 
and subspecies grow in Europe (Kreutz, 2004), although 
Kreutz himself states that "so many new taxa (species, sub­
species, varieties and forms) have been described that even the 
most orchid specialists have totally lost track of them". The 
same author also points out that the concept of subspe-
cies is almost abandoned and that many authors describe 
new taxa exclusively at species level (e.g. Delforge, 2006) 
and raise most of the previously described infraspecific 
taxa to species level. Such an approach makes it impos-
sible for botanists to trace relationships between taxa that 
are morphologically very similar and group them into 
aggregates or macrospecies, which would greatly facili-
tate the identification process and reduce the possibility 
of misidentifications. As a consequence, some authors 
now consider that the approach to the taxonomy of the 
orchid family requires a thorough critical review and re-
vision (Kreutz, 2004) according to modern methods, in 
which taxa should be grouped into (macro)species, mean-
ing that many described species have to be splitted into 
infraspecific taxonomic units. A similar approach is taken 
in the current version of the Euro+Med (2006+) database, 
which tries to create some kind of consensus. According 
to this database, 221 species from 31 genera occur in Eu-
rope and the Mediterranean countries, of which 177 sub-
species are described within 44 species, with numerous 
lower infraspecific taxa.
Botanists are mainly concerned with the taxonomy of 
the genus Ophrys, which comprises ca. 200 microspecies, 
with a tendency for this number to increase to 250. The 
most important diagnostic characters are the pigmenta-
tion of the corolla, the shape of the markings and the color 
of the lip, and the size of the flower, which vary between 
flowers of the same individual and even more between 
individuals of the same population. The situation is simi-
lar in the genus Epipactis, where the number of described 
taxa is somewhat smaller. For Croatia, for example, 150 
orchid taxa up to subspecies are listed (Kranjčev, 2004), 
of which 69 are from the genus Ophrys and 21 from the 
genus Epipactis. Similarly, for the area of Greece, about 
100 species of the genus Ophrys are listed (Antonopou-
los & Tsiftsis, 2017), which is more than three times the 
number of species accepted in the Euro+Med database. 
To add to the confusion, there are no comprehensive and 
reliable identification keys, which further complicates the 
problem of identifying the mentioned orchids.
As opposed to european and world trends, knowledge 
of this group of vascular plants in BiH is far from be-
ing good. The last comprehensive list of orchids of Bosnia 
and Herzegovina (BiH) dates from 1904 (Beck-Mannag-
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
329
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
etta, 1904) and lists 56 species, so it is not necessary to 
point out that this list is taxonomically outdated. Later 
reports only give the assessments of the number of taxa. 
Thus, Šoljan et al. (2006) and Redžić et al. (2009) specu-
late about 69 orchid species (with 35 subspecies and 7 
hybrids), Šilić (2008) and Šoljan et al. (2014b) mention 
about 80 species and subspecies. On the bright side, sev-
eral papers contributing to the knowledge of orchids in 
BiH have been published recently (Šabanović et al., 2019, 
2020; Šoljan et al., 2014b, 2014a), while several more list 
new orchid taxa for BiH: Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Druce) Soó 
(Šoljan et al., 2014a), Epipactis muelleri Godfery (Takács 
et al. in Raab-Straube & Raus 2014), Himantoglossum 
adriaticum H. Baumann (Milanović et al., 2015b), Se­
rapias vomeracea (Burm F.) Briq. (Maslo & Boškailo, 
2018), Serapias parviflora Parl. (Milanović, 2019) and 
Epipactis helleborine subsp. orbicularis (K. Richt.) E. Kle-
inn. (Šabanović & Djordjević in Tomović et al. 2021), 
with the confirmation of Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. (Ð. 
Milanović, 2012), which was considered extinct on the 
territory of BiH and the Balkan Peninsula.
This paper’s aims were:
•	 to make a revision of the genera Serapias and Himanto­
glossum for the territory of BiH in order to clarify which 
taxa certainly occur in Bosnia and Herzegovina; 
•	 to complete the distribution range of some rare orchid 
species, which were previously known only from a few 
localities in BiH: Gymnadenia frivaldii, Pseudorchis al­
bida, Orchis quadripunctata and Cypripedium calceolus;
•	 assess the threat status of each of the studied species 
according to the IUCN categories and criteria (IUCN 
Species Survival Commission, 2012b, 2012a).
Material and methods
The research was conducted in the field on the territo-
ry of BiH in the period 2010–2020. In addition to the 
field survey, the distribution data were supplemented 
by checking and revision of herbarium material depos-
ited in the Herbarium of the National Museum of Bos-
nia and Herzegovina (SARA), in the Herbarium of the 
Faculty of Forestry of the University of Banja Luka (SF) 
and in the private collections of Đ. Milanović (ĐM) and 
E. Šabanović (ES) as well as by literature sources. Since 
herbarium material is often insufficient for orchid iden-
tification, photographs of plant habit and macrophoto-
graphs of floral parts were taken in the field, indicating 
the herbarium voucher to which they refer. In the case of 
the genus Serapias, processing of the herbarium material 
required reparation (resuscitation) of floral parts in boil-
ing water in order to make morphometric measurements 
of organs important for taxon determination.
It should be mentioned that, in some cases, the revision 
of the herbarium material could not be carried out, espe-
cially in the case of the genus Himantoglossum from the 
National Museum Herbarium (SARA), as some vouchers 
under the same numbering contain several specimens col-
lected from different localities. Moreover, they differ mor-
phologically and are characterized by transitional values 
of their diagnostic parameters, so that it was not possible 
to determine which specimen belongs to which locality 
or to which taxa they refer. All these questionable data are 
marked with a "?" sign (Figure 4), indicating that further 
population-level studies on live specimens are required, 
and listed in Appendix 2b.
All sites reported in the literature and the herbarium ma-
terial were georeferenced using the QGIS software pack-
age, while the coordinates of the new sites were recorded 
in the field using a GPS device. All records of the species 
studied are presented as follows: Locality with coordinates 
in the WGS84 coordinate system, MGRS (Military Grid 
Reference System) 10x10 km square, habitat type (if avail-
able), material (herbarium and literature data and an ob-
servation on live specimens), date of collection (herbari-
um), observations or publications (literature data), name 
of the legator, elevation and population size if observed 
in the field or derived from literature or herbarium data. 
In most cases, the material refers to the herbarium mate-
rial studied, to which the corresponding literature data (if 
available) were added, while in the absence of a herbarium 
voucher, only the literature reference, i.e. the date of ob-
servation, was given. The localities for a given taxon were 
listed beginning with the new (with the word "locality" 
bolded) or most recent records from the field. This was 
followed by literature references and information on her-
barium specimens collected at other localities (arranged 
spatially from west to east). In order to get an insight into 
the distribution area of the studied species on the territory 
of Bosnia and Herzegovina, all localities were presented on 
10x10 km MGRS maps (Figure 6; Figure 11).
Species of the genus Serapias were determined accord-
ing to Delforge (2006), while for the genus Himantoglos­
sum we used a description of diagnostic characters given 
by Molnár et al. (2012). Other species discussed were 
determined using Flora Europaea (Tutin et al., 2001), as 
their taxonomic status has not changed significantly and 
there were no taxonomic novelties after the publication 
of this edition. The nomenclature is consistent with the 
updated version of the Euro+Med database (Euro+Med 
2006+), except for the taxon Himantoglossum calcaratum 
subsp. rumelicum, whose valid name was published only 
recently (Niketić et al., 2018). Threat assessment was 
performed according to the IUCN methodology (IUCN 
Species Survival Commission, 2012b, 2012a).
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
330
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Results and discussion
Genus Serapias L.
The taxonomy of the genus Serapias has changed consid-
erably in the last 40 years or so. For example, the num-
ber of species is now almost 10 times higher than in the 
1980s, when only three species of this genus were thought 
to occur in Europe. In the middle of the first decade of the 
21st century, the genus underwent a major revision and 
has grown to 26–27 species in Europe, mostly distributed 
in the Mediterranean region (Delforge, 2006; Venhuis et 
al., 2007), while some other taxa, mainly from Italy and 
Spain, were described later (Euro+Med, 2006+). So far, 
only two species of the genus Serapias have been recorded 
in Bosnia and Herzegovina: S. vomeracea (Burm. F.) Briq. 
near Počitelj in the valley of the Neretva River (Maslo & 
Boškailo, 2018) and S. parviflora Parl. on the Klek Pen-
insula near Neum (Milanović, 2019). The literature for 
BiH also mentions Serapias lingua L. from the Sutorina 
area (Beck-Mannagetta, 1903), which is now part of the 
territory of Montenegro. There were no specimens of the 
genus Serapias in the herbarium of SARA, older than the 
recently inserted vouchers (Milanović, 2019). A specimen 
of S. vomeracea from the Počitelj area, which was depos-
ited in the collection of Aldin Boškailo, has since been 
lost, so this taxon remains questionable for the territory 
of BiH (Appendix 2a; Figure 6).
Based on new field research conducted in the Mediter-
ranean and sub-Mediterranean areas of Bosnia and Her-
zegovina, in addition to the already mentioned Serapias 
vomeracea, the occurence of two other taxa of the genus 
Serapias has been recorded for BiH: 
1. Serapias parviflora Parl. (Figure 1, Figure 3a) – re-
corded at the locality of Tanko sedlo on the Klek Penin-
sula (Milanović, 2019) (Appendix 1a). This is the only 
locality of this species in BiH with a population size of 
less than 20 adult individuals. As its habitat is threat-
ened by succession into the surrounding maquis, we 
propose the status of critically endangered species for 
the area of BiH. 
Estimated regional conservation status in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina: Critically Endangered – CR D.
2. Serapias bergonii E. G. Camus (Figure 2) (syn. Sera­
pias vomeracea subsp. laxiflora (Soó) Gölz & R. Rein-
hard) – new species for BiH found in two different 
localities: near Moševići in the hinterland of Neum and 
Crno brdo near Hutovo blato (Appendix 1b). In both 
localities, the species counts less than 50 adult individ-
uals and is assessed as critically endangered for BiH. 
However, it should be emphasised that there are many 
potential habitats for this orchid species in the Mediter-
ranean and sub-Mediterranean areas of BiH, so it could 
be expected to occur in other localities as well. 
Based on available data, the regional conservation 
status in BiH is estimated to be: Critically Endangered 
– CR D.
The species of the genus Serapias are morphologically 
very similar, so the identification, which requires meas-
urement of the width and length of the flower segments, 
should be made on fully developed flowers from several 
individuals within the population. Serapias parviflora is 
characterized by a small epichile (Table 1), erect flow-
ers (especially in the juvenile phase), an elongated base 
of the petals (elongated drop shape) and yellow pollinia 
(Delforge, 2006; Tsiftsis & Antonopoulos, 2017), which 
separates it from the S. vomeracea group. In addition, two 
nearly parallel to slightly divergent ridges are visible at the 
tip of the hypochile, which separates this species from the 
related S. lingua. Serapias bergonii is much more variable, 
often growing in the same localities and in sympatry with 
the closely related S. vomeracea, forming mixed popula-
tions with which it additionally interbreeds (Delforge, 
2006; Tsiftsis & Antonopoulos, 2017), making identifica-
tion even more complicated. The main characteristic of 
the species lies in the slightly smaller dimensions of all its 
organs compared to the related S. vomeracea, with dichot-
omous keys generally indicating differences in the width 
of the epichile (Table 1). In addition, S. bergonii has a gla-
brous epichile and bracts that are at most twice as long as 
the calyx, whereas in S. vomeracea the epichile is hairy and 
the bracts are more than twice as long as the calyx (tend-
ing to be almost three times as long) (Delforge, 2006).
Although our collected specimens show some mor-
phometric features at the limits of variation of individ-
ual characters, they still correspond more to the species 
S. bergonii than S. vomeracea. For example, the bracts are 
Species / 
morphological 
characters
Epichile 
width 
[mm]
Epichile 
length 
[mm]
Length x 
width of 
corolla [mm]
Shape of 
the corolla 
base
Serapias 
parviflora 3–5
(5–) 6–10 
(–13) 13–16 × 3–4 elongated
Serapias  
bergonii 4–7.5
(10–) 12–18 
(–20)
19–27.5 × 
2–4.5 rounded
Serapias 
vomeracea 8–13 18–30
19–27.5 × 
4–8.5 rounded
Table 1: Morphometric diagnostic characteristics of three similar 
species of the genus Serapias (according to Delforge 2006).
Tabela 1: Morfometrične značilnosti treh podobnih vrst rodu 
Serapias (po Delforge 2006).
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
331
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Figure 1: Serapias parviflora on Klek Peninsula  
(Đ. Milanović 09. 05. 2010).
Slika 1: Serapias parviflora na polotoku Klek  
(Đ. Milanović 09. 05. 2010).
Figure 2: Serapias bergonii from Crno brdo (E. Šabanović 05.05.2020).
Slika 2: Serapias bergonii z Crnega brda (E. Šabanović 05.05.2020).
Figure 3: Comparative view of 
flowers of Serapias species repaired 
from the herbarium: a – Serapias 
parviflora from Klek peninsula 
(lip); b – Serapias bergonii near 
Moševići (flower details): b1 – lip 
and petals; b2 – ovary with a 
hood; b3 – belonging bract; 
c – Serapias bergonii from Crno 
brdo by Hutovo (lip with petals)  
(© Đ. Milanović).
Slika 3: Primerjava cvetov 
vrst rodu Serapias iz herbarija: 
a – Serapias parviflora z 
polotoka Klek (medena ustna); 
b – Serapias bergonii pri Moševićih 
(podrobnosti cveta): b1 – medena 
ustna in venčni listi; b2 – plodnica 
s čelado; b3 – pripadajoči ovršni 
list; c – Serapias bergonii z 
lokacije Crno brdo pri Hutovu 
(medena ustna z venčnimi listi) 
(© Đ. Milanović).
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
332
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
usually at most twice as long as the sepals, there are no 
hairs on the epichilium or they are sparse and short, the 
dimensions of the epichilium are 6–7 mm × 13–21 mm 
and those of the corollas are 17–22 × 4–5 mm, suggesting 
that they are almost entirely consistent with the range of 
variation of S. bergonii, while they are outside the range 
of variation of S. vomeracea. Moreover, this new locality 
of the species in the Mediterranean part of Bosnia and 
Herzegovina fits the eastern Mediterranean distribution 
of the species (Tsiftsis & Antonopoulos, 2017), which, 
along with the known localities from the Dalmatian coast 
(Kranjčev, 2005), extend along the eastern Adriatic Sea to 
Istria (Rottensteiner et al., 2020).
Genus Himantoglossum Spreng.
The species of the genus Himantoglossum are among the 
tallest and most unusual of European orchids, owing to 
the very long mid lobe of the lip. Older botanical refer-
ences mention two species for the western and central 
Balkans: Himantoglossum (Loroglossum) hircinum and 
H. caprinum. The description of the species Himantoglos­
sum adriaticum (Baumann, 1978) and its first records 
from Slovenia (Ravnik, 2002), Croatia (Molnár et al., 
2012) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Milanović et al., 
2015b; Bódis et al., 2018) added another taxon to this ge-
nus in this part of the Balkans. The Mediterranean spe-
cies H. robertianum, recently recorded from Bosnia and 
Herzegovina (Zelenika, 2012) (Appendix 1f; Figure 6), 
has traditionally been placed in the genus Barlia because 
of its different flowers. As we do not have accurate data 
on the only known population of this species in BiH, it 
was not the subject of this study.
Only recently it was shown that all records of Him­
antoglossum caprinum from the Balkan Peninsula and 
the rest of Europe are related to the species H. jankae 
(Molnár et al., 2012), which is distributed from south-
ern Slovakia through Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Ser-
bia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece (including Crete) to 
northwestern and northern Turkey (Djordjević et al., 
2018; Molnár et al., 2012), while the typical H. capri­
num is endemic to Crimea, based on the original descrip-
tion of this taxon. In addition to H. jankae, the endemic 
H. calcaratum with a significantly longer spur also oc-
curs in the Western Balkans, a taxon mentioned under 
the name H. hircinum β calcaratum in the Flora of BiH 
(Beck-Mannagetta, 1904). Based on morphometric and 
molecular analysis of all taxa of the genus Himantoglos­
sum (Bateman et al., 2017), the species H. jankae was 
subordinated to the subspecies level within the species 
H. calcaratum. Respecting the rule of precedence accord-
ing to the Plant Nomenclature Code, it was recently re-
named H. calcaratum subsp. rumelicum (H. Baumann & 
R. Lorenz) Niketić & Djordjević (Niketić et al., 2018). 
According to Bateman et al. (2017), H. hircinum does 
not grow east of Italy, Austria and Germany (see Fig. 5 in 
Bateman et al., 2017).
Following the discovery of H. adriaticum from Ostro-
vica in Albania (Barina et al., 2005) and from the vi-
cinity of Bosanski Petrovac in western BiH (Milanović 
et al., 2015b), the range of this species has expanded 
significantly to the east. This changes the picture of the 
range delimitation provided by Bateman et al. (2017) 
and makes the area where three taxa (H. adriaticum, 
H. calcaratum subsp. calcaratum and H. calcaratum sub-
sp. rumelicum) potentially overlap much larger. Under 
these circumstances, it remains questionable to which 
taxa the numerous literature and herbarium records for 
H. hircinum and H. caprinum from Bosnia and Herze-
govina refer. Field research in northwestern Bosnia (near 
Banja Luka) and a review of available herbarium collec-
tions (SARA, ĐM, SF) show that there are three taxa of 
the genus Himantoglossum in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
3. Himantoglossum adriaticum H. Baumann (Figure 
4a, 5a) – in addition to the known locality from Su-
vaja near Bosanski Petrovac (Milanović et al., 2015b), 
an inspection of the SARA herbarium revealed that 
the species also occurs near Banja Luka (Appendix 1c), 
where it was collected by Hofmann in 1879. Although 
our research in this area did not confirm the species, 
this record suggests that the range of H. adriaticum 
in northwestern Bosnia overlaps with the range of 
H. calcaratum subsp. rumelicum. As the species was 
first recorded in Bosnia and Herzegovina several years 
ago (Milanović et al., 2015b), its threat status was not 
assessed in the Red List of the Federation of Bosnia 
and Herzegovina (Đug et al., 2013). However, we sug-
gest that it should be placed under strict protection 
throughout the territory of BiH, as it is listed in An-
nex 2 of the EU Habitats Directive (Council of the 
European Communities, 1992), and all its sites should 
be included in the future European ecological network 
Natura 2000.
Although the only known and confirmed population 
from Suvaja near Bosanski Petrovac is numerous (about 
200 adults were counted in 2011), its habitat is endan-
gered, as the former pastures where it grows are in suc-
cession towards the thermophilous forests. Considering 
the distribution and ecology of the species, its range is 
potentially larger in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but since 
it has not been found elsewhere in Bosnia and Herze-
govina since then, it should be considered a critically 
endangered species.
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
333
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Estimated regional conservation status in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina: Critically Endangered – CR C2a(ii)b.
4. Himantoglossum calcaratum (G. Beck) Schltr. subsp. 
calcaratum (Figure 4c, 5c) – has been confirmed by 
recent field research and revision of herbarium mate-
rial in the upper reaches of the Drina River and its 
tributaries (Appendix 1d; Figure 6), while in the Bosna 
River Basin and the middle reaches of the Drina River 
it occurs in transitional forms to H. calcaratum subsp. 
rumelicum (Appendix 2b; Figure 6). Until the taxo-
nomic status of the populations from the Bosna River 
valley and the middle course of the Drina is clarified, 
there is not yet enough data to adequately assess the 
threat status of this taxon for the BiH territory (DD). 
Moreover, it is classified as a vulnerable species in the 
Red List of the Federation of BiH (VU) (Đug et al., 
2013), while in the Republic of Srpska it enjoys the 
status of a strictly protected species (Uredba o Strogo 
Zaštićenim i Zaštićenim Divljim Vrstama, 2020).
5. Himantoglossum calcaratum (G. Beck) Schltr. sub-
sp. rumelicum (Somlyay, Kreutz & Óvári) Niketić 
& Djordjević (syn. Himantoglossum jankae Somlyay, 
Kreutz & Óvári, H. calcaratum subsp. jankae (Somlyay, 
Kreutz & Óvári) Bateman, Molnár & Sramkó, H. cap­
rinum auct. mult.) (Figure 4b, 5b) – new species for 
Bosnia and Herzegovina. Individuals typical for this 
taxon are distributed in the northwestern and north-
ern parts of BiH (Appendix 1c), while specimens from 
southern and central Bosnia and eastern Herzegovina 
show a transitional character to the type subspecies 
(Appendix 2b; Figure 6). For the same reasons as for the 
previous taxon, the proposed category for threat status 
is DD (Data Deficient). It should be placed under strict 
protection throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, as it is 
listed in Annex 2 of the EU Habitats Directive under 
the name Himantoglossum caprinum (Council of the 
European Communities, 1992), and all its sites should 
be included in the future European ecological network 
Natura 2000.
The delimitation of the distribution range of individual 
taxa of genus Himantoglossum in the territory of Bosnia 
and Herzegovina remains an open question that requires 
a systematic study of living material. Older literature 
data list only two species (H. caprinum, H. hircinum), 
none of which grows in BiH. As the existing taxa have a 
similar ecology and their areas in BiH at least partially 
overlap, it is not possible to conclude to which of them 
numerous literature data for H. caprinum and H. hirci­
num (in the absence of herbarium material) correspond 
(Appendix 2b1).
However, certain patterns can be observed in the transi-
tional areas. The upper part of the catchment of the Drina 
and its tributaries is absolutely dominated by specimens 
that usually have a very long spur and belong to H. calcar­
atum subsp. calcaratum. The studied specimens from the 
upper reaches of the Bosna River and its tributaries (es-
pecially from the vicinity of Sarajevo and Travnik, where 
most of the specimens in the herbarium SARA come 
from) show a transitional character to H. calcaratum sub-
sp. rumelicum. In this part of Bosnia, there is probably 
overlap in the range of these two otherwise very similar 
and related taxa with questionable taxonomic status. Fur-
ther north, west, and also south and northeast, the study 
specimens have a relatively shorter spur which fits more 
to the description of H. calcaratum subsp. rumelicum, 
which completely replaces the typical subspecies in the 
north and northwest of the country. The spur is very short 
in some specimens (about 3–4 mm), while in others it 
reaches up to 8 (–9) mm, but never more. A large number 
of specimens from the herbarium SARA show a transi-
tional character between H. calcaratum subsp. calcaratum 
and H. calcaratum subsp. rumelicum, while different spec-
imens from the same locality show considerable differ-
ences in the length of the spur, so that they could not be 
determined with certainty at this point (Appendix 2b2).
On the other hand, in the west and southwest of Bos-
nia, the area of H. calcaratum subsp. rumelicum overlaps 
with the area of H. adriaticum, which is also confirmed 
from the surroundings of Banja Luka. However, it can 
be concluded that H. adriaticum is to be expected in 
the sub-Mediterranean area, while it does not penetrate 
deeper into the eastern, continental part of Bosnia and 
Herzegovina (where it is replaced by H. calcaratum sub-
sp. rumelicum). Both taxa are expected to occur in north-
western Bosnia.
In view of the above, all questionable literature data 
(Appendix 2b1) and herbarium specimens with transi-
tional features (Appendix 2b2) have been marked with 
"?" on the map of localities in BiH (Figure 6), in order 
to highlight localities where field research is needed to 
delineate the range of taxa of the genus Himantoglossum 
on the territory of BiH.
The analyzed material from Bosnia and Herzegovina 
indicates that the species Himantoglossum adriaticum has 
very stable morphological characteristics and that it can 
be easily distinguished from the other two taxa by signifi-
cantly smaller dimensions of all floral parts (Figure 4a). 
The spur is usually pale, almost whitish, very short in 
relation to the length of the ovary (about 1/6–1/5) up 
to 4 mm long. The situation in H. calcaratum subsp. cal­
caratum and H. calcaratum subsp. rumelicum is markedly 
different and more complicated. Analysis of the herbari-
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
334
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Figure 4: Comparative view of flowers of genus Himantoglossum (from herbarium): a – Himantoglossum adriaticum from Suvaja near Bosanski 
Petrovac; b – Himantoglossum calcaratum subsp. rumelicum from Bukvalek near Banja Luka; c – Himantoglossum calcaratum subsp. calcaratum from 
Belen in Drine River valley between Foča and Tjentište (© Đ. Milanović).
Slika 4: Primerjava cvetov vrst rodu Himantoglossum (iz herbarija): a – Himantoglossum adriaticum z Suvaje pri Bosanskem Petrovcu; 
b – Himantoglossum calcaratum subsp. rumelicum z Bukvaleka pri Banji Luki; c – Himantoglossum calcaratum subsp. calcaratum z Belena v dolini 
reke Drine med Fočo in Tjentištem (© Đ. Milanović).
Figure 5: Inflorescences of genus Himantoglossum in BiH: a – H. adriaticum from Suvaja 27. 06. 2011., b – H. calcaratum subsp. rumelicum from 
Bukvalek near Banja Luka 04. 07. 2017.; c – H. calcaratum subsp. calcaratum beneath Stajkovac at Vijogor 10.07.2011. (© Đ. Milanović and 
J. Brujić).
Slika 5: Socvetja rodu Himantoglossum v BiH: a – H. adriaticum z Suvaje 27. 06. 2011., b – H. calcaratum subsp. rumelicum z Bukvaleka pri Banji 
Luki 04.07.2017.; c – H. calcaratum subsp. calcaratum pod Stajkovcem na Vijogoru 10. 07. 2011. (© Đ. Milanović in J. Brujić).
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
335
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
um material suggests that the length of the spur is not a 
reliable characteristic for the identification of these two 
taxa (Tsiftsis, 2016). Specimens from the upper catch-
ment of the Drina River regularly have long spurs (Fig-
ure 4c), while specimens from the western part of BiH 
regularly have shorter spurs (rarely up to 8.5 mm long) 
(Figure 4a). However, in the Bosna River basin, in the 
same populations, there are specimens with short spurs 
(5–7 mm), but also those whose spurs are significantly 
longer (8–10 mm), which makes identification from her-
barium material unreliable. Therefore, it is fully justified 
to place the taxon H. jankae at the level of the subspecies 
of H. calcaratum, i.e. H. calcaratum subsp. rumelicum, the 
populations being apparently mixed in the areas where 
their ranges overlap. In typically developed specimens of 
H. calcaratum subsp. rumelicum, the spur was found to 
have a conical shape and to taper properly into a rounded 
apex, which is often not the case in H. calcaratum subsp. 
calcaratum. Here the spur is often somewhat expanded at 
the apex or at least cylindrical in the middle part (Figures 
4b-c and 5b-c). Furthermore, in H. calcaratum subsp. 
Figure 6: Distribution of the species Serapias parviflora and species of the genus Himantoglossum in Bosnia and Herzegovina with revised as well as 
questionable data.
Figure 6: Razširjenost vrste Serapias parviflora in vrst rodu Himantoglossum v Bosni in Hercegovini z revidiranimi in vprašljivimi podatki.
rumelicum the spur reaches at most half of the ovary (in 
full flower), whereas in the typical subspecies it is usually 
longer than half of the ovary.
Other rare species
6. Gymnadenia frivaldii Hampe ex Griseb. (syn. Leu­
corchis frivaldii  (Hampe ex Griseb.) Schltr.; Pseudor­
chis frivaldii (Hampe ex Griseb.) P. F. Hunt) (Figure 7) 
– was found in Konjsko polje on the Ljubišna Mt. in 
eastern Bosnia (Figure 11), which is only the second 
reported locality of this species for the BiH area (Ap-
pendix 1g). Considering the fact that we did not con-
firm the occurrence of the species at the other known 
locality (on the Maglić Mt.), while on Konjsko polje 
only about 20 adult individuals were found, the species 
can be considered critically endangered for the terri-
tory of BiH.
Estimated regional conservation status in Bos-
nia and Herzegovina: Critically Endangered – CR 
B1ab(iii,iv)+2ab(iii,iv); D.
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
336
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Gymnadenia frivaldii is a subendemic species of the 
Balkan Peninsula with a center of distribution in the 
mountains of the southeastern Dinaric Alps and the 
mountains of the Scardo-Pindhian province, with a dis-
junction in the southeastern Carpathians (Bartók et al., 
2016; Lakušić & Grgić, 1971). The optimal conditions 
this species founds in the Balkan peatlands of the Narthe­
cion scardici Lakušić alliance, for which it is considered 
a characteristic species (Lakušić, 1970), while in western 
Serbia it is recorded in the communities of the alliance of 
Caricion fuscae Koch (Djordjević et al., 2020). According 
to some authors, it also occurs in the snow-bed vegetation 
of the Dinaric Mountains (Lakušić & Grgić, 1971).
The first and only record of this species from the ter-
ritory of Bosnia and Herzegovina refers to the slopes of 
Maglić Mt. above Prijevor at 2200–2300 m a.s.l. in grass-
lands of the subalpine region (Bjelčić et al., 1969). Al-
though in this reference it was noted that the species was 
collected by Č. Šilić, there is no voucher of this taxon col-
lected on the slopes of Maglić in the available herbaria. It 
is possible that the specimen was deposited in the collec-
tion of the Biological Institute, which was burned in the 
fire in the last war (1992–1996). As there are no springs 
or fens in this area, but the habitats are rather rocky and 
steep-sloped subalpine and alpine grasslands, snow-beds 
in sinkholes, cliffs and crevices, the record of this species 
is quite questionable. Systematic studies of the flora and 
vegetation of the Maglić Mt. for more than 15 years have 
not confirmed the presence of this orchid. On the other 
hand, the species Pseudorchis albida, a species similar to 
G. frivaldii especially in the fruiting stage, is found in this 
area, which suggests potential misidentification. There-
fore, the record for Maglić Mt. was marked as question-
able on the map (Figure 11) with the symbol "?".
On the other hand, Gymnadenia frivaldii was found in 
full bloom in its typical fen habitat of Konjsko polje on 
the Ljubišnja Mt. in full flower (Figure 7). It is very rare 
in this area and was found in only one place. Konjsko 
Figure 7: Gymnadenia frivaldi from fens of Konjsko polje 
(Đ. Milanović 03. 07. 2020.)
Slika 7: Gymnadenia frivaldi z barij na Konjskem polju  
(Đ. Milanović 03. 07. 2020.)
Figure 8: Pseudorchis albida in high elevations of Maglić Mt. 
(Đ. Milanović 28. 07. 2013.)
Slika 8: Pseudorchis albida na viških legah na Magliću 
(Đ. Milanović 28. 07. 2013.)
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
337
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
polje is becoming an increasingly popular tourist desti-
nation, which is still relatively well preserved, as it is far 
from the administrative centers of Foča (BiH) and Pljevlja 
(Montenegro) with more than 40 km of poor macadam 
roads. However, with the planned opening of new mod-
ern roads for the construction of lead and zinc mines, this 
situation may soon change. All the more it is necessary to 
put these peatlands under protection and help them to 
remain in their original state.
7. Pseudorchis albida  (L.) Á. Löve & D. Löve (syn. 
Gymnadenia albida  (L.) Rich., Leucorchis albida  (L.) 
E. Mey.) (Figure 8) – previously recorded only on the 
mountains of Jahorina and Vranica (Appendix 1h), 
with the new record from the top of Maglić Mt., from 
where it was probably erroneously reported as Gymnad­
enia frivaldii by Bjelčić et al. (1969). This mountain 
orchid inhabits the subalpine and alpine belts of our 
highest mountains and represents a glacial relict in 
the flora of BiH. It occurs on prominent grassy ridges 
and snow-beds of the highest peaks of our mountains, 
where it occurs solitary and quite rare. In the Repub-
lic of Srpska, the species is strictly protected (Uredba o 
Strogo Zaštićenim i Zaštićenim Divljim Vrstama, 2020), 
while in the Federation of BiH it is neither protected 
nor has the threat status category in the Red List (Đug 
et al., 2013). Considering the fact that the species is 
known from only five sites so far (three of them on the 
Vranica Mt.) and that its range is relatively small (the 
extent of occurrence (EOO) is 1512.62 km2), as well as 
the fact that the species occurs irregularly and sporadi-
cally in habitats threatened by natural succession due 
to the lack of management, it can be considered endan-
gered for the territory of BiH. Rare localities where this 
plant occurs suggest that it should also be protected in 
all its habitats in the Federation of Bosnia and Herze-
govina.
Estimated regional conservation status in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina: Endangered – EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).
8. Orchis quadripunctata Cirillo ex.Ten. (syn. O. bipunc­
tata Raf.) (Figure 9) – was first mentioned in BiH by 
Malý (1904) from the foothills of the Bjelašnica Mt. 
near Trebinje at about 800 m a.s.l. Besides this local-
ity, the species was also found on the slopes of Hum 
near Mostar (Janchen, 1906; Sagorski, 1911), near 
Međugorje and above Kravice waterfall (Zelenika, 
2012), which represent all known localities on the terri-
tory of BiH. However, the recent study of flora and veg-
etation in and around Neum has shown that this species 
is not rare in the eumediterranean part of BiH, where 
it inhabits more open habitats: sparsely vegetated com-
munities of Mediterranean junipers, edges of maquis, 
while it is particularly common in rocky former Medi-
terranean pastures, which are in various stages of sec-
ondary succession, as well as in sites where there have 
been recent fires of lower intensity. The species may also 
occur at other similar sites in the vicinity of Neum, but 
probably also at other sites in the sub-Mediterranean 
region with a stronger influence of the Mediterranean 
climate. However, sites favorable for this species are in 
a state of secondary succession towards pseudomaquis 
and maquis after the abandonment of cattle grazing and 
browsing. As the species has been recorded in a total of 
nine sites, five of which are near Neum (Appendix 1i), it 
has a limited distribution on the territory of Bosnia and 
Herzegovina (EOO is 13876 km2) and its habitats are 
in succession, this orchid can be considered endangered 
on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Estimated regional conservation status in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina: Vulnerable – VU B1ab(iii) +2ab(iii).
Figure 9: Orchis quadripunctata at fire site on Debeli brijeg (Đ. 
Milanović 21.04.2018.)
Slika 9: Orchis quadripunctata na požarišču na Debelem brijegu (Đ. 
Milanović 21.04.2018.)
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
338
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
9. Cypripedium calceolus L. (Figure 10) – is a rare species 
throughout its range and is listed in Annex II of the Eu-
ropean Union Habitats Directive (Council of the Eu-
ropean Communities, 1992). It is known from several 
sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Appendix 1j). Recent 
surveys of its populations in the Sarajevo area have not 
confirmed this rare orchid at any of the known sites. 
Some authors express concern that it has completely 
disappeared from these localities (Šoljan et al., 2014a, 
2014b). However, new localities of this species have 
been found in well-preserved forest complexes in the 
mountains of western and eastern Bosnia (Plješevica 
and Vijogor near Čajniče), mainly on a dolomite bed-
rock where this plant probably has the optimum for its 
development in BiH.
In the Republic of Srpska it has the status of a strict-
ly protected plant species (Uredba o Strogo Zaštićenim i 
Zaštićenim Divljim Vrstama, 2020), which is in line with 
the recommendations of the EU Habitats Directive 
(Council of the European Communities, 1992), as the 
species is listed in Annex 2 of the EU Habitats Directive 
and all its sites should be included in the future Euro-
pean ecological network Natura 2000. It should have the 
Figure 10: Cypripedium calceolus on slopes of Žestikovac at Plješevica 
Mt. (K. Dejanović 01. 06. 2017)
Slika 10: Cypripedium calceolus na pobočjih Žestikovac na Plješevici 
(K. Dejanović 01. 06. 2017)
Figure 11: Distribution of studied species in Bosnia and Herzegovina. New sites are marked red.
Slika 11: Razširjenost preučevanih vrst v Bosni in Hercegovini. Nove lokacije so označene rdeče.
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
339
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
same protection status in the Federation of BiH, where 
this species is currently considered critically endangered 
(CR) (Đug et al., 2013). This orchid was often collected 
for the beauty of its flowers by uninformed mountaineers 
and nature lovers, and therefore has probably disappeared 
from all accessible and frequently visited sites. According 
to the IUCN criteria (IUCN Species Survival Commis-
sion, 2012b), this orchid can be considered an endangered 
species on the territory of BiH, given the number (only 
the populations in Plješevica and Klekovača mountains 
count more than 300 adult specimens), mutual distance 
and isolation of its populations (EOO is 7405 km2).
Estimated regional conservation status in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina: Vulnerable – VU B1ab(iv)+2ab(iv); C2(i).
References
Antonopoulos, Z., & Tsiftsis, S. (2017). Atlas of Greek Orchids: Vol. II. 
Mediterraneo Editions.
Arditti, J. (1967). Factors Affecting the Germination of Orchid Seeds. 
Botanical Review, 33(1), 1–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858656
Atwood, J. T. (1986). The size of Orchidaceae and the systematic 
distribution of epiphytic orchids. Selbyana, 9, 171–186.
Barina, Z., Pifkó, D., & Schmidt, D. (2005). Gyűjtőúton az Ostrovica 
hegységben (Dél-Albánia). Botanikai Közlemények, 92(1–2), 234–235.
Bartók A., Csergő A.-M., Balázs Ö., Hurdu B.-I., & Jakab G. (2016). 
A Gymnadenia frivaldii Hampe ex Griseb. Újrafelfedezése areája északi 
határán (Keleti Kárpátok, Románia). Kitaibelia, 21(2), 213–220. 
https://doi.org/10.17542/kit.21.213
Bateman, R. M., Molnár, A. V., & Srámko, G. (2017). In situ 
morphometric survey elucidates the evolutionary systematics of the 
Eurasian Himantoglossum clade (Orchidaceae: Orchidinae). PeerJ, 83. 
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2893
Baumann, H. (1978). Himantoglossum adriaticum spec. Nov. – Eine 
bislang übersehene Riemenzunge aus dem zentralen nördlichen 
Mittelmeergebiet. Die Orchidee, 29, 165–172.
Beck-Mannagetta, G. (1887). Flora von Südbosnien und der 
angrenzenden Hercegovina. III. Teil. Nach den Ergebnissen einer 
dahin im Jahre 1885 unternommenen Reise und den in der 
Literatur vorhandenen Angaben. Annalen des K.K. Naturhistorischen 
Hofmuseums, 2, 81–184.
Beck-Mannagetta, G. (1903). Flora Bosne, Hercegovine i 
novopazarskog Sandžaka I. dio: Gymnospermae i Monocotyledones. 
Glasnik Zemaljskog Muzeja u Bosni i Hercegovini, 15(2), 185–230.
Beck-Mannagetta, G. (1904). Flora von Bosnien, der Herzegowina 
und des Sandžaks Noovipazar I. Teil. Wissenschaftliche Mitteilungen aus 
Bosnien und der Hercegovina, 9, 407–518.
Bjelčić, Ž., Šilić, Č., Lakušić, R., Kutleša, L., Mišić, L., & Grgić, P. 
(1969). Neke rijetke i interesantne vrste biljaka sa područja planina 
Maglića, Volujka i Zelengore. Akademija nauka i umjetnosti Bosne 
i Hercegovine, Odjeljenje prirodnih i matematičkih nauka, Posebna 
izdanja, 3, 91–106.
Blau, O. (1877). Reisen in Bosnien und der Hertzegowina. 
Topographische Und Pflanzengeographische Aufzeichnungen. Verlag von 
Dietrich Veimer.
Bódis, J., Biró, É., Nagy, T., Takács, A., Molnár, A. V., & András 
Lukács, B. (2018). Habitat preferences of the rare lizard-orchid 
Himantoglossum adriaticum H. Baumann. Tuexenia, 38, 329–345. 
https://doi.org/10.14471/2018.38.020
Boller, A. (1892). Eine botanische Wanderung um Bihač in Bosnien 
und im agrezenden Theile von Croatien. Verhandlungen des Zoologisch­
Botanischen Vereins, 42, 250–259.
Brandis, E. (1890). Botanische Beiträge zur Flora von Travnik 
in Bosnien. Jahresheft des naturwissenschaft Vereins der Trencsiner 
Comitates, 13–14, 49–78.
Chase, M. W., Cameron, K. M., Freudenstein, J. V., Pridgeon, A. M., 
Salazar, G., & Schuiteman, A. (2015). An updated classification of 
Orchidaceae. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 177, 151–174. 
https://doi.org/10.1111/boj.12234
Christenhusz, M. J. M., & Byng, J. W. (2016). The number of known 
plants species in the world and its annual increase. Phytotaxa, 261(3), 
201–217. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1
CITES. (1975). Convention on International Trade in Endangered 
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Conrath, P. (1887). Ein weiterer Beitrag zur Flora von Banjaluka, 
sowie einiger Punkte in mittleren Bosnien. Österreische Botanische 
Zeitschrift, 37(11), 378–384.
Council of the European Communities. (1992). Council Directive 
92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural 
habitats and of wild fauna and flora. Official Journal of the European 
Communities, L206, 7–50.
Delforge, P. (2006). Orchids of Europe, North Africa and Middle East 
(3rd ed.). A&C Black Ltd. Publishers.
Djordjević, V., Niketić, M., & Tomović, G. (2018). Liliopsida: 
Orchidaceae. In Kritička lista vrsta vaskularne flore Srbije 1. 
Lycopodiopsida, Polypodiopsida, Gnetopsida, Pinopsida i Liliopsida 
(pp. 102–110). Srpska akademija nauka i umetnosti.
Djordjević, V., Tsiftsis, S., Lakušić, D., Jovanović, S., & Stevanović, 
V. (2020). Orchid species richness and composition in relation to 
vegetation types. Wulfenia, 27, 183–210.
Drešković, N., Đug, S., Stupar, V., Hamzić, A., Lelo, S., Muratović, 
E., Lukić-Bilela, L., Brujić, J., Milanović, Đ., & Kotrošan, D. (2011). 
Natura 2000—Bosna i Hercegovina. Centar za okolišno održivi razvoj.
Dressler, R. L. (1981). The orchids: Natural history and classification. 
Harward University Press.
Dressler, R. L. (2005). How Many Orchid Species? Selbyana, 26(1–2), 
155–158.
Đug, S., Muratović, E., Drešković, N., Boškailo, A., & Dudević, 
S. (2013). Crvena lista flore Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine. EU 
“Greenway.”
Euro+Med 2006+. (2006). Euro+Med PlantBase—The information 
resource for Euro­Mediterranean plant diversity. http://www.
europlusmed.org
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
340
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Fekete, R., Nagy, T., Bódis, J., Biró, É., Löki, V., Süveges, K., Takács, 
A., Tökölyi, J., & Molnár, A. V. (2017). Roadside verges as habitats for 
endangered lizard-orchids (Himantoglossum spp.): Ecological traps or 
refuges? Science of the Total Environment, 607–608, 1001–1008.
Fiala, F. (1889). O nekim endemičnim biljkama u okupiranim zemlja-
ma. Glasnik Zemaljskog muzeja u Bosni i Hercegovini, 1(1), 116–118.
Formanek, E. (1890). Zweiter Beitrag zur Flora von Bosnien und der 
Hercegovina. Österreische Botanische Zeitschrift, 40(2), 73–106.
Freyn, J. F., & Brandis, E. (1888). Beitrag zur Flora von Bosnien und 
der agrezenden Hercegovina. Verhandlungen des Zoologisch­Botanischen 
Vereins, 38, 577–644.
Fritsch, K. (1909). Neue Beiträge zur Flora der Balkanhalbinsel, insbe-
sonders Serbiens, Bosniens und der Herzegowina. Erster Teil. Mittei­
lungen des Naturwissenschaftlichen Vereines für Steiermark, 45, 131–183.
Givnish, T. J., Spalnik, D., Ames, M., Lyon, S. P., Hunter, S. J., 
Zuluaga, A., Doucette, A., Caro, G. G., McDaniel, J., Clements, 
M. A., Arroyo, M. T. K., Endara, L., Kriebel, R., Williams, N. 
H., & Cameron, K. M. (2016). Orchid historical biogeography, 
diversification, Antarctica and the paradox of orchid dispersal. Journal 
of Biogeography, 43, 1905–1916. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.12854
Griebl, N. (2008). Himantoglossum, die Riemenzunge. Orchideen 
Kurier, 06/2008, 3–11.
Handel-Mazzetti, H. R. E. F. von, Stadlmann, J., Janchen, E., & 
Faltis, F. (1905). Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Flora von West-Bosnien. 
Österreische Botanische Zeitschrift, 55(11), 424–438.
Hofmann, F. (1882). Beitrag zur Kenntniss der Flora von Bosnien. 
Österreische Botanische Zeitschrift, 32(3), 73–81.
IUCN Species Survival Commission. (2012a). Guidelines for 
application of IUCN Red List criteria at regional and national levels. 
Version 4.0. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
IUCN Species Survival Commission. (2012b). IUCN Red 
List Categories and Criteria. Version 3.1. Second edition. IUCN 
(International Union for Conservation of Nature).
IUCN/SSC Orchid Specialist Group. (1996). Orchids: Status Survey 
and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN (International Union for 
Conservation of Nature).
Janchen, E. (1906). Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Flora der Herzegowi-
na. Mitteilungen des Naturwissenschaftlichen Vereines an der Universitat 
Wien, 4(3), 23–25.
Kranjčev, R. (2004). Hrvatske kaćunovice ili orhideje (fam. 
Orchidaceae). Podravski zbornik, 30, 369–384.
Kranjčev, R. (2005). Orhideje (Orchidaceae) šumskih staništa. 
Šumarski list, 129(7–8), 424–429.
Kreutz, K. C. A. J. (2004). Kompendium der Europäischen Orchideen 
/ Catalogue of European Orchids (First edition). Kreutz Publishers, 
Landgraaf.
Lakušić, R. (1970). Die Vegetation der südöstlichen Dinariden. 
Vegetatio, 21(4–6), 321–373.
Lakušić, R., & Grgić, P. (1971). Ekologija i rasprostranjenje 
endemičnih vrsta Narthecium scardicum Koš., Pinguicula blacanica 
Cas., Gymnadenia friwaldii Hampe i Silene asterias Grsb. Ekologija, 
6(2), 337–350.
Malý, K. (1904). Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Flora Bosniens und der 
Herzegowina. Verhandlungen des Zoologisch­Botanischen Vereins, 54, 
165–309.
Malý, K. (1935). Mitteilungen über die Flora von Bosnien-Hercegovi-
na. Glasnik Zemaljskog muzeja u Bosni i Hercegovini, 47, 101–111.
Maslo, S., & Boškailo, A. (2018). Vascular flora of the old town of 
Počitelj and its surrounding area (South Bosnia and Herzegovina). 
Glasnik Zemaljskog Muzeja u Sarajevu, Prirodne Nauke, Nova Serija, 
37, 19–45.
Milanović, Ð. (2012). Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. – A plant rediscovered 
in the Balkan peninsula. Botanica Serbica, 36(2), 85–89.
Milanović, Ð. (2019). Novelties for the flora of Bosnia and Herzegovina 
from Klek peninsula. 48–49.
Milanović, Đ., Brujić, J., Stupar, V., Bucalo, V., Travar, J., & 
Cvjetićanin, R. (2015). Vaskularna flora planine Klekovače u Bosni i 
Hercegovini. Glasnik Šumarskog fakulteta Univerziteta u Banjoj Luci, 
23, 15–83. https://doi.org/10.7251/GSF1523015
Milanović, Đ., Stupar, V., Kulijer, D., Kotrošan, D., & Hamzić, A. 
(2015). Natura 2000 u Bosni i Hercegovini: Dokle smo stigli? Glasnik 
Šumarskog fakulteta Univerziteta u Banjoj Luci, 23, 95–134. https://
doi.org/10.7251/GSF1523095M
Molnár, A. V., Kreutz, K. C. A. J., Óvári, M., Sennikov, A. N., 
Bateman, R. M., Takács, A., Somlyay, L., & Srámko, G. (2012). 
Himantoglossum jankae (Orchidaceae: Orchideae), a new name for a 
long-misnamed lizard orchid. Phytotaxa, 73, 8–12.
Niketić, M., Tomović, G., Perić, R., Zlatković, B., Anačkov, G., 
Djordjević, V., Jogan, N., Radak, B., Duraki, Š., Stanković, M., 
Kuzmanović, N., Lakušić, D., & Stevanović, V. (2018). Material on 
the Annotated Checklist of Vascular flora of Serbia. Nomenclatural, 
taxonomic and floristic notes I. Bulletin of the Natural History Museum, 
11, 101–180. https://doi.org/10.5937/bnhmb1811101N
Protić, Đ. (1908). Prilozi k poznavanju flore Bosne i Hercegovine. 
Glasnik Zemaljskog muzeja u Bosni i Hercegovini, 20(3), 275–288.
Raab-Straube, E. von, & Raus, T. (Eds.). (2014). Euro+Med-Checklist 
Notulae, 3. Willdenowia, 44, 287–299.
Rasmussen, H. N. (1995). Terrestrial orchids from seed to mycotrophic 
plant. Cambridge University Press.
Ravnik, V. (2002). Orhideje Slovenije. Tehniška založba Slovenije.
Redžić, S., Barudanović, S., & Radević, M. (Eds.). (2009). Bosnia 
and Herzegovina—Land of diversity. First national Report of Bosnia and 
Herzegovina for the Convention on biological Diversity. Federal Ministry 
of Environment and Tourism.
Rottensteiner, W. K., Zernig, K., Jakely, D., & Scheuer, C. (2020). 
Beiträge zur Flora von Istrien VI: Eine kommentierte Prüfliste der 
Gefäßpflanzen als Grundlage für eine „Flora und Vegetation der Insel 
Krk (Veglia/Vögls) in der Quarner Bucht“. Fritschiana, 95, 1–75.
Šabanović, E., Boškailo, A., Ranđelović, V. N., Đug, S., Šarić, Š., 
Boškailo, S., & Bektić, S. (2020). Orhideje Zeničko­dobojskog kantona. 
JU “Zavičajni muzej” Visoko.
Šabanović, E., Boškailo, A., Šarić, Š., Bektić, S., & Ranđelović, V. 
(2019). The genus Orchis Tourn. Ex L. and its related genera in 
the Zenica-Doboj Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina): Diversity, 
distribution and conservation. Biologica Nyssana, 10(2), 143–153. 
https://doi.org/0.5281/zenodo.3600557
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
341
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sagorski, E. (1911). Uber einige Arten aus dem illyrischen 
Florenbezirk. Österreische Botanische Zeitschrift, 61(1), 11–21.
Schiestl, F. P., & Schlüter, P. M. (2009). Floral Isolation, Specialized 
Pollination, and Pollinator Behavior in Orchids. Annual Review 
of Entomology, 54, 425–446. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.
ento.54.110807.090603
Schiller, J. (1903). Beiträge zur Flora von Bosnien und der 
Herzegowina. Mitteilungen des naturwissenschaftlichen Vereins an der 
Universitat Wien, 7–8, 49–58.
Šilić, Č. (2008). Gospina papučica interesantna i rijetka. Fondeko svijet, 
26, 10.
Šoljan, D., Abadžić, S., Bjelčić, Ž., Grgić, P., Hafner, D., Janjić, N., 
Kutleša, L., Muratović, E., Mišić, L., Nedović, B., Redžić, S., Šilić, Č., & 
Šumatić, N. (2006). Izvještaj radne grupe za raznolikost flore BiH (p. 105).
Šoljan, D., Muratović, E., & Abadžić, S. (2014a). Orchidaceae in the 
flora of Mt. Ozren nr. Sarajevo. Glasnik Zemaljskog Muzeja Bosne i 
Hercegovine, Prirodne Nauke, Nova Serija, 34, 51–64.
Šoljan, D., Muratović, E., & Abadžić, S. (2014b). Orhideje planina oko 
Sarajeva. Dobra knjiga.
Stupar, V., Milanović, Đ., Brujić, J., Buzadžija, S., & Travar, J. (2011). 
Ugroženi, rijetki i endemični biljni taksoni područja grada Banja Luka. 
Skup 4: Zbornik radova 2. Simpozijuma biologa Republike Srpske i 1. 
Simpozijuma ekologa Republike Srpske, 165–179.
Tomović, G., Sabovljević, M. S., Denchev, T. T., Denchev, C. M., Ni-
ketić, M., Boycheva, P., Ivanov, D., Šabanović, E., Djordjević, V., Kut-
nar, L., Ștefănuț, S., Pantović, J., Grdović, S., Kuzmanović, N., Mašić, 
E., & Lazarević, P. (2021). New records and noteworthy data of plants, 
algae and fungi in SE Europe and adjacent regions, 4. Botanica Serbica, 
45(1), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.2298/BOTSERB2101129T
Tsiftsis, S. (2016). Morphological variability of Himantoglossum 
s.s. (Orchidaceae) in Greece. Phytotaxa, 245(1), 17–30. https://doi.
org/10.11646/phytotaxa.245.1.2
Tsiftsis, S., & Antonopoulos, Z. (2017). Atlas of the Greek Orchids: 
Vol. I. Mediterraneo Editions.
Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Valentine, D. H., 
Walters, S. M., & Webb, D. A. (2001). Flora Europaea on CD­ROM. 
Cambridge University Press.
Uredba o strogo zaštićenim i zaštićenim divljim vrstama. (2020). 
Službeni glasnik Republike Srpske 121/12: 33–35.
Vandas, K. (1909). Reliquiae Formanekianae. Eunumeratio critica 
plantarum vascularium, quas itineribus in Haemo peninsula et Asia 
Minore (Bithynia) factis collegit dr Ed. Formanek, professor Gymnasii 
Brunensis Bohemici. Typis Jos. Jelinek.
Venhuis, C., Venhuis, P., Ostermejier, J. G. B., & van Tienderen, P. H. 
(2007). Morphological systematics of Serapias L. (Orchidaceae) in 
Southwest Europe. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 265, 165–177. 
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-007-0519-0
Zelenika, D. (2012). Orchids of Bosnia and Herzegovina—Dino 
Zelenika reports on his expeditions hunting for wild orchids in the 
Balkans. The Orchid Review, 120(1), 24–33.
Zotz, G. (2013). The systematic distribution of vascular epiphytes – a 
critical update. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 171, 453–481. 
https://doi.org/10.1111/boj.12010
Appendix 1
Distribution of studied orchid taxa in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina. New localities are bolded.
a. Serapias parviflora Parl. (Figure 1, Figure 3a). 
Locality: Tanko sedlo on Klek Peninsula near Neum 
(17.589051°E, 42.919900°N; MGRS YH15); Habitat 
type: fragment of ruderalized therophytic Mediterra-
nean grasslands on the edge of macchia Fraxino orni­
Quercetum ilicis Horvatić (1956) 1958. Material: ĐM 
23/07–20/001; ŠF 254/2011; correspondent literature 
data – Milanović (2019), without precise locality. Date: 
09.05.2010. Legator: Đ. Milanović, V. Stupar i J. Brujić. 
Elevation: 61 m. Population size: less than 20 adult in-
dividuals. 
b. Serapias bergonii E. G. Camus (Figure 2) (syn. Serapias 
vomeracea subsp. laxiflora (Soó) Gölz & R. Reinhard). 
Locality: south of Gradina near Mošević in the hinterland 
of Neum (17.684728°E, 42.932991°N; MGRS YH15) 
(Figure 3b). Habitat type: moist trampled semi-ruderal-
ized Mediterranean grasslands along the watering hole. 
Date: 10.05.2010. Private herbarium Đ. Milanović: 
23/07–20/002. Legator: Đ. Milanović, V. Stupar and J. 
Brujić. Elevation: 250 m. Population size: less than 30 
adult individuals.
Locality: Crno brdo near Škrčko lake (Hutovo blato) 
(17.743758°E, 43.083323°N; MGRS YH27) (Fig-
ure 3c). Habitat type: submediterranean rocky grass-
lands and sparse stands of Paliurus spina­christi. Date: 
05.05.2020. Herbarium: SARA 52241, as S. parviflora 
Parl. – det. E. Šabanović and A. Boškailo. Legatori: 
E. Šabanović and A. Boškailo. Elevation: 11 m. Popula­
tion size: less than 20 adult individuals.
c. Himantoglossum adriaticum H. Baumann 
Locality: Suvaja near Bosanski Petrovac (16.324167°E, 
44.650731°N; MGRS XK04). Habitat type: road cuts 
and grasslands in succession. Material: ĐM 23/07–
11/001; correspondent literature data – Milanović et al. 
(2015), Bódis et al. (2018)dry and mesophilic grasslands 
or open woodlands and is restricted to a small region 
along the Adriatic coast and within Central and South-
eastern Europe. We\ncompiled phytosociological rele-
vés (n = 84. Date: 27.06.2011. Legator: Đ. Milanović 
and V. Stupar. Elevation: 680 m. Population size: over 
200 flowering individuals.
Locality: NW of Banja Luka, in the hills to the right of 
the road leading to the Bronzani Majdan (17.128248°E, 
44.80062°N; MGRS XK66). Material: SARA 06703, 
as H. hircinum. Date: June 1879; Legator: F. Hofmann; 
corresponding literature data: Hofmann (1882) as 
H. hircinum; later in Beck-Mannagetta (1904), as Lo­
roglossum hircinum. Note: The specimen in the SARA 
herbarium is characterized by small flowers and very 
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
342
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
short spurs which completely corresponds to the species 
H. adriaticum.
d. Himantoglossum calcaratum (G. Beck) Schltr. subsp. 
calcaratum (Figure 5c, 6c)
Locality: Sink hole in Bistrica River canyon near Milje-
vina (Foča municipality) (18.657667°E, 43.519222°N; 
MGRS CP12). Habitat type: the edge of a forest of 
hophornbeam and downy oak. Material: ĐM 23/07-
11/004. Date: 12.07.2010. Legator: Đ. Milanović. El­
evation: 530 m. Population size: about 10 adult indi-
viduals.
Locality: Beleni in Drina River valley (Foča municipal-
ity) (18.760112°E, 43.417609°N; MGRS CP10). 
Habitat type: road cuts and oriental hornbeam scrub. 
Material: ĐM 23/07-11/003. Date: 21.07.2009. Lega­
tor: Đ. Milanović. Elevation: 620 m. Population size: less 
than 30 adult individuals.
Locality: Međuriječje near Čajniče (19.091208°E, 
43.651476°N; MGRS CP43). Habitat type: edge of 
abandoned pastures. Material: observation on living 
specimens. Date: 10.07.2011. Elevation: 570 m. Popu­
lation size: less than 30 adult individuals. 
Locality: Tuhalji at Izbišno in the Bistrica River valley near 
Foča (18.5947°E, 43.53378°N; MGRS CP02). Mate­
rial: Literature data – Izbišno (Fekete et al., 2017). 
Elevation: 671 m. Note: in the same reference, locality 
Kosatica in BiH is mentioned, which actually is located 
on the territory of Serbia (also confirmed by the coor-
dinates).
Locality: near Suha in the valley of the river Sutjeska 
(18.65694°E, 43.30805°N; MGRS CN19). Material: 
Literature data – originally Sutjeska 2 (Fekete et al., 
2017). Elevation: 710 m. Note: this locality is situated 
near the aforementioned locality.
Locality: near Suha in the valley of the river Sutjeska at 
the slopes of Maglić Mt. (18.660599°E, 43.309437°N; 
MGRS CN19). Habitat type: among shrubs. Material: 
Literature data – Beck-Mannagetta (1887), as Aceras cap­
rina var. A. calcarata; Beck-Mannagetta (1904), as Loro­
glossum caprinum β calcaratum. Elevation: 700 m. Note: 
this locality lies close to previous localities. Furthermore, 
material from the Sutjeska valley was studied in the sys-
tematic revision of the genus (Bateman et al., 2017) so it 
can be concluded that this is a type subspecies.
Locality: Popov most near Tjentište (Foča municipality) 
(18.711452°E, 43.376948°N; MGRS CP10). Mate­
rial: SARA 06689, as Aceras caprina var. calcarata, det. 
F. Fiala; as Loroglossum calcaratum, det. Nelson E. 
30.03.1968. Date: 06.07.1894. Legator: F. Fiala.
Locality: Baljevo polje in Bistrica River valley near 
Foča (18.73627°E, 43.49652°N and 18.73721°E, 
43.49625°N; MGRS CP11). Material: Literature data 
– Sutjeska (Fekete et al., 2017). Elevation: 426 and 
434 m. Note: two very close localities were mistakenly 
named Sutjeska in the literature, but there are coor-
dinates based on which locality was determined more 
precisely
Locality: near Trbušče in Drina River valley (Foča munici-
pality) (18.742766°E, 43.465827°N; MGRS CP 11). 
Habitat type: among shrubs. Material: SARA 06688, 
as Aceras caprina var. calcarata, det. F. Fiala; as Loro­
glossum calcaratum, det. E. Nelson 30.03.1968. Date: 
06.07.1894. Legator: F. Fiala.
Locality: Čelikovo polje between Foča and Bastasi in Dri-
na River valley (18.782514°E, 43.402014°N; MGRS 
CP20). Material: Literature data – Beck-Mannagetta 
(1904), as Loroglossum caprinum β calcaratum. Note: this 
locality lies very close to the previous one, so it is likely 
related to the same taxon.
Locality: between Foča and Ustikolina (18.792085°E, 
43.545284°N; MGRS CP22). Habitat type: on the 
roadside. Material: SARA 06691, as H. caprinum, det. 
Loschnigg V.; as Loroglossum calcaratum, det. Nelson E. 
30.03.1968. Date: 06.07.1929. Legator: V. Loschnigg.
Locality: Bastasi in Drina River valley (18.79632°E, 
43.37621°N; MGRS CP20). Material: Literature data 
– Sutjeska (Fekete et al., 2017). Elevation: 516 m. Note: 
Locality was mistakenly named Sutjeska in the litera-
ture, but according to coordinates we were able to de-
termine the locality more precisely.
Locality: Hum near Šćepan polje in Drina River Valley 
(18.84427°E, 43.34911°N; MGRS CP20). Material: 
Literature data – Hum (Fekete et al., 2017). Elevation: 
454 m. 
e. Himantoglossum calcaratum (G. Beck) Schltr. sub-
sp. rumelicum (Somlyay, Kreutz & Óvári) Niketić & 
Djordjević (syn. Himantoglossum jankae Somlyay, Kreutz 
& Óvári, H. calcaratum subsp. jankae (Somlyay, Kreutz & 
Óvári) Bateman, Molnár & Sramkó, H. caprinum auct. 
mult.) 
Locality: Veliko brdo above Stričići on Manjača Mt. 
(16.98999°E, 44.627442°N; MGRS XK54). Habitat 
type: succession of grasslands and sparse shrub with 
common juniper and other deciduous shrubs. Material: 
observation on living specimens. Date: 15.07.2016. 
Elevation: 800 m. Population size: about 50 adult indi-
viduals.
Locality: Prisjek near Dobrnja on Manjača Mt. 
(17.006138°E, 44.643635°N; MGRS XK54). Habi­
tat type: succession of grasslands and sparse scrub with 
common juniper and other deciduous shrubs. Material: 
observation on living specimens. Date: 04.07.2017. and 
13.07.2014. Elevation: 690 m. Population size: an ex-
tremely large population with several hundred flowering 
individuals.
Locality: slopes of Kik near Gornja Kola (Manjača Mt.) 
(17.068706°E, 44.680214°N; MGRS XK64). Habitat 
type: thermophilous forests of sessile oak and oriental 
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
343
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
hornbeam. Material: observation on living specimens. 
Date: 24.06.2013. Elevation: 500 m. Note: this locality 
corresponds to literature data for Kola (Manjača Mt.) 
(Stupar et al., 2011, as H. hircinum subsp. calcaratum). 
Population size: less than 20 adult individuals.
Locality: at Balabanov točak in Bukvalek near Banja Luka 
(17.144928°E, 44.733464°N; MGRS XK75). Habi­
tat type: grassy habitats along the road. Material: ĐM 
23/07–11/002; ŠF 151/2011. Date: 01.06.2011. Lega­
tor: V. Stupar. Elevation: 290 m. Population size: only 
two adult individuals.
Locality: at Ljubinska Mt. near Zableće (16.819658°E, 
44.520169°N; MGRS XK43) Material: literature data 
– Formanek, 1890, as Aceras caprina var. calcarata; later 
in Beck-Mannagetta (1904) as Loroglossum caprinum β 
calcaratum; also Vandas (1909) as Aceras caprina var. cal­
carata. Note: this locality lies near (about 7 km by air) 
the aforementioned localities, which indicates that this 
literature records also corresponds to Himantoglossum 
calcaratum subsp. rumelicum.
Locality: Gornja Previja near Dragoraj (16.898961°E, 
44.485778°N; MGRS XK52). Habitat type: road 
cut. Material: observation on living specimens. Date: 
13.07.2014 Elevation: 740 m. Note: Some specimens' 
flowers were completely white. At this Locality (Drago-
raj by the road from Ključ to Varcar Vakuf (Mrkonjić 
grad)) the species was recorded by Schiller (1903) as 
Himantoglossum hircinum; later mentioned by Beck-
Mannagetta (1904) as Loroglossum hircinum.
Locality: Donji Žabar near Gradačac (18.645971°E, 
44.944811°N; MGRS CQ17). Material: SARA 
06594, as H. hircinum det. O. Reiser; as H. caprinum 
det. K. Maly; kao Loroglossum calcaratum det. Nelson 
30.03.1968. Date: 29.06.1911. Legator: O. Reiser. Note: 
specimen very robust, with a spur about 6 mm long.
f. Himantoglossum robertianum  (Loisel.) P. Delforge 
(syn. Orchis longibracteata Biv.; Barlia robertiana (Loisel.) 
Greuter):
Locality: Čitluk (not far from the entrance to the town) 
(17.716696°E, 43.261066°N; MGRS YH29). Habitat 
type: ancient Mediterranean woodland composed main-
ly of pine trees. Material: Literature data – (Zelenika, 
2012).
g. Gymnadenia frivaldi Hampe ex Griseb. (syn. Leucorchis 
frivaldii  (Hampe ex Griseb.) Schltr.; Pseudorchis frival­
dii (Hampe ex Griseb.) P. F. Hunt) 
Locality: Konjsko polje at Ljubišnja Mt. (19.063906°E, 
43.309662°N; MGRS CN49). Habitat type: alkaline 
fens along intermittent streams. Material: ĐM 23/07-
09/001. Date: 03.07.2020. Legator: Đ. Milanović. Pop­
ulation size: less than 20 adult individuals.
Locality: above Prijevor at Maglić Mt. (18.732684°E, 
43.283147°N; MGRS CN19). Habitat type: meadows 
and pastures of the subalpine region. Material: Litera-
ture data – Bjelčić et al. (1969). Elevation: 2200–2300 
m. Note: questionable record – probably reported mis-
takenly instead of Pseduorchis albida.
h. Pseudorchis albida  (L.) Á. Löve & D. Löve (syn. Gym­
nadenia albida (L.) Rich., Leucorchis albida (L.) E. Mey.) 
(Figure 9)
Locality: Bosnian side of the top of Maglić Mt. 
(18.733742°E, 43.282666°N; MGRS CN19). Habitat 
type: alpine mountain ridge grasslands Elyno­Edraianthe­
tum alpini Lakušić 1970 and snow-beds of Salicetum re­
tusae kitaibelianae Lakušić 1970. Material: ĐM 23/07-
19/001. Date: 28.07.2013. Legator: Đ. Milanović. 
Locality: Vranica (17.750914°E, 43.948861°N; MGRS 
YJ26). Material: SARA 06792 as Gymnadenia albida 
det. G. Beck; correspondent literature data – com-
mon at Vranica Mt. (Beck-Mannagetta, 1904). Date: 
11.07.1892. Legator: G. Beck.
Locality: on meadows of Panja beneath Okrugljača at 
Vranica Mt. (17.794504°E, 43.96628°N; MGRS 
YJ27). Habitat type: ass. Nardetum strictae. Material: 
SARA 06794 as Leucorchis albida, det. Č. Šilić. Date: 
01.07.1965. Legator: Č. Šilić. Elevation: 1400 m.
Locality: Sjekira at Vranica Mt. (17.803393°E, 
43.92969°N; MGRS YJ26). Material: SARA 06791 as 
Gymnadenia albida det. E. Brandis. Date: 15.07.1892. 
Legator: E. Brandis.
Locality: Gola Jahorina (18.571132°E, 43.714211°N; 
MGRS CP04). Habitat type: mountain grasslands. Ma­
terial: SARA 06793, as Leucorchis albida, det. K. Maly; 
corresponding literature data – „auf alpinen Triften der 
Gola Jahorina“, as Gymnadenia albida (Malý, 1935); 
Gola Jahorina (Šoljan et al., 2014b). Date: 22.07.1935. 
Legator: K. Maly. Elevation: 1800 m.
i. Orchis quadripunctata Cirillo ex.Ten. (syn. O. bipunc­
tata Raf.) (Figure 10)
Locality: above village Opuće on Klek Peninsula 
(17.56497°E, 42.9289°N; MGRS YH05). Habitat type: 
maquis with Mediterranean junipers on former pas-
tures. Material: observation on living specimens. Date: 
22.04.2018. Elevation: 60 m.
Locality: Jazine on Klek Peninsula near Neum 
(17.625414°E, 42.911862°N; MGRS YH15). Habi­
tat type: Mediterranean rocky areas in the holm oak 
zone. Material: ĐM 23/07-17/001; ŠF 147/2010. det. 
Đ. Milanović. Date: 09.05.2010. Legator: Đ. Milanović, 
J. Brujić, V. Stupar. Elevation: 50 m.
Locality: southern slopes of Ćurilo on Klek Peninsula 
(17.628127°E, 42.903744°N; MGRS YH15). Habitat 
type: maquis with Mediterranean junipers on former 
pastures. Material: observation on living specimens. 
Date: 21.04.2018. Elevation: 60 m.
Locality: Debeli brijeg above Kamenica near Neum 
(17.638846°E, 42.904745°N; MGRS YH15). Habitat 
type: a recent fire site in the holm oak zone. Material: 
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
344
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
observation on living specimens. Date: 21.04.2018. El­
evation: 110 m.
Locality: Vranjevo selo above Neum (17.64305°E, 
42.925132°N; MGRS YH15). Habitat type: succes-
sion of former Mediterranean pastures towards holm 
oak maquis. Material: observation on living specimens. 
Date: 10.05.2010. Elevation: 135 m.
Locality: a hill near the village of Miletina close to 
Međugorje (17.649926°E, 43.187285°N; MGRS 
YH18). Material: Literature data – Zelenika (Zelenika, 
2012).
Locality: a hill above the Kravice waterfalls (17.612721°E, 
43.157289°N; MGRS YH18). Literature data – (Zele-
nika, 2012).
Locality: northern slopes of Hum near Mostar 
(17.810243°E, 43.334588°N; MGRS BN64). Mate­
rial: Literature data - Janchen (1906); Sagorski (1911), 
as O. quadripunctatus f. obscurus. Elevation: 150–200 m.
Locality: Bjelašnica Mt. near Trebinje (18.146252°E, 
42.819994°N; MGRS YJ20). Material: SARA 06455, 
as O. quadripunctatus det. K. Maly. Legator: J. Čavek; 
SARA 06456, as O. quadripunctatus var. obscurus, det. 
K. Maly; correspondent literature data – Bjelašnica Mt. 
near Trebinje (Malý, 1904). Legator: O. Reiser. Eleva­
tion: 800 m.
j. Cypripedium calceolus L. 
Locality: Majoruša at Plješevica Mt. (15.813044°E, 
44.740197°N; MGRS WK65). Habitat type: meso-
neutrophilous beech forests (Aremonio­Fagion) on 
dolomite. Material. Observation on living specimens 
(Kata Dejanović). Date: 01.06.2017. Elevation: about 
1100 m.
Locality: Žestikova žljeba at Plješevica Mt. (15.825675°E, 
44.730228°N; MGRS WK65). Habitat type: meso-
neutrophilous beech forests (Aremonio­Fagion) on 
dolomite. Material. Observation on living specimens 
(Kata Dejanović). Date: 01.06.2017. Elevation: about 
1000 m.
Locality: Stajkovac beneath Vijogor (Čajniče munici-
pality) (19.124427°E, 43.651494°N; MGRS CP43). 
Habitat type: mesoneutrophilous beech forests (Aremo­
nio­Fagion) on dolomite. Material: ĐM 23/07-04/002. 
Date: 29.08.2018. Legator: Đ. Milanović. Population 
size: about 20 adult individuals.
Locality: On the ascent from Drinić on Klekovača 
along the road to Kuzmanova vodica (16.499812°E, 
44.465353°N; MGRS XK12). Material: SARA 06335 
det. F. Fiala; corresponding literature data – Fiala 
(1889); later in Beck-Mannagetta (1904); Šilić (2008); 
Drešković et al. (2011); Milanović et al. (2015). Date: 
15.08.1891. Legator: F. Fiala. Elevation: 900 m.
Locality: near Ajzerov bunar at Klekovača Mt. 
(16.548059°E, 44.432787°N; MGRS XK22). Habitat 
type: mesoneutrophilous beech forests (Aremonio­Fa­
gion) on dolomite. Material: ĐM 23/07-04/001; cor-
responding literature data – Milanović et al. (2015a). 
Date: 11.06.2009. Legator: Đ. Milanović and J. Brujić. 
Population size: about 150 adult individuals.
Locality: forest south of the Preodac village beneath Šator 
Mt. (16.589763°E, 44.192231°N; MGRS XJ29). Ma­
terial: Literature data – Handel-Mazzetti et al. (1905). 
Elevation: 950 m.
Locality: Mlinski potok at Šator Mt. (16.593269°E, 
44.17873°N; MGRS XJ29). Material: Literature data – 
Handel-Mazzetti et al. (1905). Elevation: 1050 m.
Locality: near Potoci at Klekovača Mt. (near the railway 
station) (16.622676°E, 44.39491°N; MGRS XK21). 
Material: SARA 06331 det. E. Brandis; corresponding 
literature data – Šilić (2008). Date: 06.07.1893. Lega­
tor: E. Brandis. Note: our research has confirmed the 
presence of the species at this locality.
Locality: 3 km upstream of Krupac in the Rakitnica River 
canyon (right tributary of Neretva River) (18.163674°E, 
43.616009°N; MGRS BP73). Material: SARA 06336 
det. Č. Šilić; corresponding literature data – Šilić 
(2008). Date: 08.05.1966. Legator: Č. Šilić.
Locality: Bukovik by Sarajevo near Skakavac waterfalls 
(18.448035°E, 43.941448°N; MGRS BP96). Habitat 
type: hophornbeam forest. Material: SARA 06332 det. 
Č. Šilić; corresponding literature data – Šilić (2008); 
Šoljan et al. (2014a, 2014b). Date: 05.07.1966. Legator: 
Č. Šilić. Elevation: 1350 m.
Locality: under Dovlići on Trebević Mt. (18.481814°E, 
43.832219°N; MGRS BP95). Material: Literature data 
– Protić (1908). Note: only one individual was found.
Locality: Stari grad near Sarajevo (probably Lipovac?) 
(18.49766°E, 43.835422°N; MGRS BP95). Material: 
SARA 06334 det. F. Fiala; corresponding literature data 
– Beck-Mannagetta (1904); Šilić (2008); Drešković et 
al. (2011); Šoljan et al. (2014a). Date: May 1892. Lega­
tor: F. Fiala.
Locality: near Orlovača in the Paljanska Miljacka River 
gorge (18.50912°E, 43.824059°N; MGRS CP05). 
Material: SARA 06333 det. K. Maly; corresponding lit-
erature data – Šilić (2008); Šoljan et al. (2014a). Date: 
03.06.1906. Legator: K. Maly.
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
345
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Appendix 2
Indeterminate vouchers and literature citations for genus 
Serapias and Himantoglossum:
a. Serapias 
Locality: Počitelj (17.731414°E, 43.136487°N; MGRS 
YH27). Material: Literature data – Maslo & Boškailo 
(Maslo & Boškailo, 2018).
b. Himantoglossum
1. Literature data:
Locality: south of Zvornik (19.108398°E, 44.360156°N; 
MGRS CQ41). Habitat type: rocky slopes towards the 
river Drina on limestone. Material: Literature data – 
Wettstein in Fritsch (1909) as H. hircinum var. calcara­
tum with mark „leg. Wettstein: July 1890“. Note: it can 
be presumed that there was a herbarium specimen that 
was not available to us.
Locality: Vranduk near Zenica (17.903747°E, 44.293402°N; 
MGRS YK30). Material: Literature data – Degen in 
Beck-Mannagetta (1904), as H. hircinum; Šabanović et 
al. (2020) – without locality name, only a map. 
Locality: Goražde (18.986976°E, 43.680134°N; MGRS 
CP33). Material: Literature data – Griebl (2008) as H. 
caprinum ssp. calcaratum. Note: in the mentioned ref-
erence there is only an insufficiently clear photograph 
from 28.06.1984. taken by the author and wrongly as-
signed to Montenegro. There is a photograph from the 
vicinity of Goražde (Faruk Bogunić) with spurs shorter 
than the ovary, and although these specimens lie in the 
distribution range of H. calcaratum subsp. calcaratum 
we could not attribute them with certainty to this taxon. 
Locality: on the hill above Budžak near Banjaluka 
(17.188837°E, 44.804082°N; MGRS XK76). Material: 
Literature data – Conrath (1887) as H. hircinum; later 
in Beck-Mannagetta (1904) as Loroglossum hircinum.
Locality: on the slopes of Igman near Blažuj (18.253713°E, 
43.836714°N; MGRS BP75). Habitat type: in the bush-
es on the slopes. Material: Literature data – Blau (1877), 
as Aceras hircinum; later in Beck-Mannagetta (1887), as 
Aceras hircina; also in Beck-Mannagetta (1904) as Loro­
glossum hircinum. 
Locality: near Zavalje at Plješevica Mt. (15.832093°E, 
44.773303°N; MGRS WK65). Habitat type: on a grassy 
and bushy slope. Material: Literature data – Boller 
(1892), as Satyrium hircinum; later in Beck-Mannagetta 
(1904) as Loroglossum hircinum). 
Locality: along the road from Konjic to Borci on Borošnica 
(17.977871°E, 43.620492°N; MGRS YJ33); Material: 
Literature data – Degen in Beck-Mannagetta (1904) as 
Loroglossum hircinum.
2. Herbarium material:
Group of localities from the vicinity of Sarajevo:
Locality: Koševo near Sarajevo (18.419556°E, 43.879362°N; 
MGRS BP96). Material: SARA 06700 as H. hircinum 
det. Đ. Protić; as H. caprinum det. K. Maly; as Loroglos­
sum calcaratum det. E. Nelson 30.03.1968; Literature 
data – Koševo (Šoljan et al., 2014a). Date: 03.07.1921. 
Legator: Đ. Protić. Note: the specimen has spurs about 
8 mm long with long lateral lobes.
Locality: Koševo near Sarajevo (18.419556°E, 43.879362°N; 
MGRS BP96). Material: SARA 06683 as Loroglossum 
calcaratum det. K. Maly and E. Nelson 30.03.1968. 
Habitat type: among the bushes. Elevation: 600 m. Date: 
30.07.1902. Legator: K. Maly. Material: Literature data 
– the same locality is mentioned in the literature: Malý 
(1904), as Loroglossum calcaratum; later in Beck-Man-
nagetta (1904). Note: the specimen is characterized by 
rather short spurs (about 6 mm), considerably shorter 
than the ovary which corresponds more to the taxon 
H. calcaratum subsp. rumelicum.
Locality: Koševsko brdo near Sarajevo (18.419556°E, 
43.879362°N; MGRS BP96). Material: SARA 06696 
as H. caprinum det. K. Maly; det. E. Nelson as Loroglos­
sum calcaratum 30.03.1968; Literature data – Koševsko 
brdo near Sarajevo (Šoljan et al., 2014a). Habitat type: 
on pastures. Elevation: 600 m. Date: 30.07.1902. Lega­
tor: K. Maly. Note: this specimen, collected on the same 
day at a spatially close locality as the previous one, is 
characterized by a significantly longer spur (about 10 
mm) which corresponds more to the taxon H. calcara­
tum subsp. calcaratum.
Locality: on the saddle between Kovačić and Lukavica near 
Sarajevo (18.395374°E, 43.842261°N; MGRS BP95). 
Material: SARA 06597 as Aceras caprina var. calcarata det. 
F. Fiala; det. E. Nelson as L. calcaratum 30.03.1068. Date: 
18.07.1886. Legator: F. Fiala. Literature data: this locality 
was mentioned by Fiala (1889), as Aceras caprina var. cal­
carata; later in Beck-Mannagetta (1904), as Loroglossum 
caprinum β calcaratum). Note: spur about 8 mm long.
Locality: on the saddle between Kovačić and Lukavica 
near Sarajevo (18.395374°E, 43.842261°N; MGRS 
BP95). Material: SARA 06684 as Aceras hircina det. F. 
Fiala; det. E. Nelson as L. calcaratum 30.03.1068. Date: 
18.07.1886. Legator: F. Fiala. Literature data: same as 
for the previous voucher. Note: spur about 8 mm long.
Locality: on the saddle between Kovačić and Lukavica 
near Sarajevo (18.395374°E, 43.842261°N; MGRS 
BP95). Material: SARA 06687 as Aceras caprina var. 
calcarata det. V. Ćurčić; det. E. Nelson as L. calcara­
tum 30.03.1068. Date: 02.07.1893. Legator: V. Ćurčić. 
Note: spur about 8 mm long.
Locality: Ostrog by Stanojevići near Sarajevo (18.42605°E, 
43.824767°N; MGRS BP95). Material: SARA 06539 as 
21/2 • 2022, 327–346
346
Milanović et al.
On the distribution and conservation status of some rare orchid taxa in  
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Loroglossum caprinum var. calcaratum det. K. Maly; det. E. 
Nelson as L. calcaratum 30.03.1968. Date: 10.07.1926. 
Legator: K. Maly. Note: spur about 7 mm long.
Locality: Stjenice by Stanojevići near Sarajevo (18.419787°E, 
43.822933°N; MGRS BP95). Material: SARA 06690 as 
Himantoglossum caprinum det. L. Lazetić; det. E. Nelson 
as L. calcaratum 30.03.1968. Date: 03.07.1957. Legator: 
S. Tvrtković. Note: spur about 8 mm long.
Locality: Mrakovo by Ilijaš near Sarajevo (18.282662°E, 
43.967048°N; MGRS BP87). Material: SARA 06692 
as Loroglossum caprinum var. calcaratum det. K. Maly; 
det. E. Nelson as L. calcaratum 30.03.1968. Date: 
11.07.1926. Legator: K. Maly. Note: long spur (about 
10 mm) which fits H. calcaratum subsp. calcaratum.
Locality: by Da Riva between Miljacka and Mošćanica 
near Sarajevo (18.453523°E, 43.857352°N; MGRS 
BP95). Material: SARA 06695 as Loroglossum capri­
num var. calcaratum det. K. Maly; det. E. Nelson as L. 
calcaratum 30.03.1968; Literature data – Šoljan et al. 
(2014a). Elevation: 580 m. Date: 11.07.1905. Legator: 
K. Maly. Note: spur about 9 mm long.
Group of localities from the vicinity of Travnik:
Locality: Travnik and the surroundings. Material: SARA 
06701a i 06701b as Himantoglossum hircinum det. E. 
Brandis; det. E. Nelson as L. calcaratum 30.03.1968. 
Date: 27.07.1884 (beneath Bunarbaša – 17.655328°E, 
44.230795°N; MGRS YK10); 13.07.1885; 21.07.1892 
(at Gostilj – 17.50471°E, 44.285907°N; MGRS 
YK00). Legator: E. Brandis. Literature data: Freyn & 
Brandis (1888) as Satyrium hircinum; later Brandis 
(1890) under the same name; Beck-Mannagetta (1904) 
as Loroglossum hircinum). Note: sheets contain several 
specimens and it can not be said with certainty which 
one was collected at which locality! The label also states 
that the species was found by V. Krajinović „near the 
factory of matches“ (6 specimens) and „in the upper 
pine grove“ (17 specimens). Among the specimens with 
long spurs (about 9 mm), one specimen has a shorter 
and thicker spur (about 6.5 mm).
Locality: Travnik and the surroundings. Material: SARA 
06702a i 06702b as Himantoglossum hircinum det. E. 
Brandis; det. E. Nelson as L. calcaratum 30.03.1968. 
Date: 21.07.1884 (beneath Bunarbaša – 17.655328°E, 
44.230795°N; MGRS YK10); 13.07.1885; 19.07.1884 
(Tarabovac – 17.676212°E, 44.227433°N; MGRS 
YK10); 13.07.1885. (Ovčarevo – one specimen – 
17.61562°E, 44.238081°N; MGRS YK00); 21.07.1892 
(at Gostilj – 17.50471°E, 44.285907°N; MGRS YK00). 
Legator: E. Brandis. Literature data: same as previous. 
Note: sheets contain several specimens and it can not 
be said with certainty which one was collected at which 
locality! The label also states that the species was found 
by V. Krajinović „near the factory of matches“ (6 speci-
mens) and „in the upper pine grove“ (17 specimens). 
Among the specimens with a long spurs (about 9 mm) 
one specimen obviously has a shorter and thicker spur 
(about 6.5 mm).
Locality: Travnik and the surroundings. Material: SARA 
06703a i 06703b as Himantoglossum hircinum det. E. 
Brandis; det. E. Nelson as L. calcaratum 30.03.1968. 
Date: 21.07.1884 (beneath Bunarbaše – 17.655328°E, 
44.230795°N; MGRS YK10); 13.07.1885; 19.07.1884 
(Tarabovac – 17.676212°E, 44.227433°N; MGRS 
YK10); 13.07.1885. (Ovčarevo – one specimen – 
17.61562°E, 44.238081°N; MGRS YK00); 21.07.1892 
(at Gostilju – 17.50471°E, 44.285907°N; MGRS 
YK00). Legator: E. Brandis. Literature data: same as 
previous. Note: sheets contain several specimens and 
it can not be said with certainty which one was col-
lected at which locality! The label also states that the 
species was found by V. Krajinović „near the factory of 
matches“ (6 specimens) and „in the upper pine grove“ 
(17 specimens). Specimens with shorter spurs (about 6 
mm) predominate here, which fits H. calcaratum subsp. 
rumelicum.
Locality: above Ovčarevo near Travnik (17.61562°E, 
44.238081°N; MGRS YK00). Material: SARA 06699 
as Himantoglossum hircinum det. J. Freyn; det. K. 
Maly as H. caprinum; det. E. Nelson as L. calcaratum 
30.03.1968. Date: 13.07.1886. Legator: J. Freyn. Note: 
spur short (about 6 mm) which fits H. calcaratum sub-
sp. rumelicum.
Locality: Bunarbaša near Travnik (17.655328°E, 
44.230795°N; MGRS YK10). Material: SARA 06698 
as Satyrium hircinum det. E. Brandis; det. K. Maly as H. 
caprinum; det. E. Nelson as L. calcaratum 30.03.1968. 
Date: 13.07.1886. Legator: E. Brandis. Note: spur 
long (about 10 mm) which fits H. calcaratum subsp. 
calcaratum.
Other indeterminate vouchers:
Locality: Falanovo brdo near Ostrožac (17.817653°E, 
43.705431°N; MGRS YJ24). Material: Herb. SARA 
51266, SARA 51267, SARA 51268, SARA 51269, 
SARA 51270, SARA 51385, all determined as H. adri­
aticum det. Č. Šilić. Date: 16.06.2003. Note: so far the 
only site in Herzegovina based on herbarium material. 
Some specimens are characterized by rather short spurs 
(4–5 mm) but large flowers, while spurs in some speci-
mens are relatively long (7–9 mm) which fits the best H. 
calcaratum subsp. rumelicum.
Locality: entrance to the canyon of river Rakitnica from 
Rogatica to Mesići (19.010666°E, 43.787053°N; 
MGRS CP45). Material: SARA 06685 and 06686 as 
Loroglossum calcarata det. Đ. Đuran. Elevation: 650 m. 
Date: 17.07.1978. Legator: Đ. Đuran. Note: spur about 
7 mm long.