NEWS: PROMONT SPECIES SPOTLIGHT: SLOVENIA – MT. SNEŽNIK

As we approach the end of this series that introduced us to the target species on which PROMONT and its partners are working on, it is time to explore the species selected by our Slovenian partner, RDA Green Karst, that are endemic of Mt. Snežnik.

Scientific name: Nigritella miniata

Common name: Red vanilla orchid  – Rdeča Murka

Family: Orchidaceae

Conservation status: endangered

Causes: small population and  encroachment of dwarf pine

Information about the species: Red vanilla orchid, is a tiny wild orchid of the Alps and Carpathians. It grows only about 10–20 cm tall and carries a tight, cone-shaped head of deep ruby-red flowers that smell pleasantly vanilla-spicy. It blooms mainly from late June to mid-July on open, lime-rich mountain grasslands. In Slovenia it also turns up on Snežnik, where it occupies a few high meadows and ridges.

Interesting facts/why it is important: This orchid is a specialist of healthy alpine pastures, so its presence signals well-kept, lightly grazed mountain grasslands on limestone. On Snežnik it sits apart from the main Alpine range, making these sites a small outpost of the species and worth extra care. If you’re lucky enough to find it in bloom, enjoy the fragrance with your eyes and nose, stick to paths, and leave the flowers for pollinators and the next hikers.

Scientific name: Seseli malyi

Common name: Seseli malyi  – Malyjeva konjska kumina

Family: Apiaceae

Conservation status: endangered

Causes: small population and  encroachment of dwarf pine

Information about the species: a typical “Liburnian” species with a distribution range between Mount Snežnik and southern Velebit. In Slovenia it occurs in small populations on the Snežnik summit area and in the Pokolpje region on the cliffs of Krokar and Krempa forests. The population on Snežnik was discovered relatively recently and is found exclusively on the scree or rocky eastern part of the summit area. The population is small and is threatened by encroachment of dwarf pine (Pinus mugo).

Interesting facts/why it is important: Mt. Snežnik is one of the only known locations in Slovenia where the plant grows.

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Photos by Boštjan Surina.