Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

NOTE ON THE ORCHIDS OF THE MOUNTS OF SAIDA (WESTERN ALGERIA) : EVALUATION-RESTORATION REPORT

Sid Ahmed Aouadj, Yahia Nasrallah and Okkacha Hasnaoui

Abstract

A phytoecological diagnosis was carried out in the area of Doui Thabet (Mount of Saida, western Algeria) with the aim to establish a state of the flora. Orchidoflora has been specifically monitored. The inventory, carried out after the forest is cut into homogeneous areas, is based on random and repeated surveys in time and space during the springs and autumns from 2017 to 2019. This diagnosis revealed the presence of 5 orchids belonging to 3 geners (3 have been reported for the first time in this territory) : Ophrys lutea (Cav.). Gouan, Ophrys speculum Link. subsp. speculum, Ophrys tenthredinifera Willd. Subsp. tenthredinifera , Anacamptis papilionacea (L.) R.M. Bateman, Pridgeon and M.W. Chase and Dactylorhiza elata (Poir.). The latter is an endemic taxon, rare and is listed on the red list of IUCN as a near-threatened species. On the other hand, (Anacamptis papilionacea) is a rather rare taxon in the Tell, endemic and protected in Algeria and Ophrys tenthredinifera Willd. Subsp. tenthredinifera is an endemic taxon.