Orchids of Azerbaijani Cemeteries

Abstract

In order to explore their orchid flora, we performed surveys of 96 Azerbaijani burial places in 2018 and 2019. Altogether, 28 orchid taxa were found in 37 visited cemeteries. In the orchid diversity a remarkable pattern was observed: geographic latitude was significantly and positively related to the number of taxa and number of individuals. The most widespread and abundant orchids in Azerbaijani graveyards were Anacamptis pyramidalis and A. papilionacea (found in 23 and 8 cemeteries, respectively). Azerbaijani cemeteries can be important refuges for rare and threatened orchids, e.g., Himantoglossum formosum (three cemeteries), Ophrys sphegodes subsp. mammosa (eight), Orchis adenocheila (two), O. punctulata (three), O. stevenii (one) and Steveniella satyrioides (one). Epipactis turcica, detected in a single locality, was previously unknown to the flora of Azerbaijan. Additionally, we documented orchid tuber (salep) collection in two cemeteries.

Floristic Studies in the Light of Biodiversity Knowledge and Conservation

“…In light of these considerations, eight research articles [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ] and two reviews [ 16 , 17 ] were published in the journal Plants , in the Special Issue “Floristic Studies in the Light of Biodiversity Knowledge and Conservation”.…”

“…Significant differences were observed in habitats based on diagnostic species and representation of life forms, demonstrating that habitat type influences species composition much more than climate. Molnár et al [ 10 ] presented a survey of the Orchidaceae diversity in Azerbaijani cemeteries, highlighting that Azerbaijani cemeteries can be important refuges for rare and threatened orchids. Furthermore, Epipactis turcica Kreutz was reported for the first time for the flora of Azerbaijan.…”