Orchidaceae L. Family in the “Iron Gates” Park (Romania)

Currently, little information is available about the orchid flora in the “Iron Gates” Nature Park, especially due to the lack of the data regarding the detailed geographical distribution and the actual conservation status of species and populations. According to the data provided by the specialist literature for the south-west of Romania, 39 species of orchids are found in this area, of which 29 are in the Danube Gorge (known as Clisura Dunării ‒ “Iron Gates” Nature Park). The field researches regarding the Orchidaceae L. family in the “Iron Gates” Nature Park area have been conducted over a period covering 15 years, from 1996 to 2011. During research conducted in the field I acknowledged the presence of 23 orchid species in the Danube Gorge area and ascertained the presence of new orchid species in the research area: two new species in the Danube Gorge area (“Iron Gates” Nature Park): Epipactis purpurata Sm. and Listera ovata (L.) R. Br.