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Wild orchids, native for Georgia (see the list of Georgian orchid species), occur almost all over the country in a wide range of habitats from sea level to high altitudes. The most abundant areas of orchid distribution are Trialeti range and high mountainous areas of the Great Caucasus, Racha, Mtiuleti and Tusheti. As well, beech forests in Zemo Imereti and in Saguramo, Kartli, are very rich areas by orchid species. These regions are characterized by occurrence of both the highest number of species and the most abundant populations of separate species. Genus Orchis is represented by highest number of species – 14. Most of them are distributed widely. However, some species have local distribution and occur in a very restricted areas. For example, so far only several individuals of Orchis punctulata are found in Pantishara gorge in Vashlovani. O. simia is a rare species distributed in the same region. Some cosmopolitan species of Orchidaceae as Goodyera repens, Listera cordata, L. ovata are found in the country |
| Different species of orchids are adapted to a great variety of habitats like dry grasslands or wetlands, bright meadows or shrubbery or even dark woods. Most orchid species however are restricted to a more or less narrow spectrum of habitats. The life of orchids is depended on their relations with other organisms. They developed a great variety of symbiotic associations with fungi as nutriment deliverers for orchid embryos or insects as very sophisticated pollinators. This fact makes these species more sensitive to disturbances of concrete habitats with its concrete inhibitors, like fungi and insects. |  |
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Therefore, orchids react very sensible to deteriorations of the natural
status of their habitats which, with increase of anthropogenic pressure
on nature, diminishes the number of individuals within populations and
makes doubtful the species survival itself. This is why it seems so necessary
to undertake conservation steps of orchid species which to our opinion
will contribute to maintenance of biological diversity in Georgia.
Recently, comparatively little work has been carried out on the botanical investigation of Georgian wild orchids. Among 48 known orchids distributed in Georgia many are endemic, rare or even endangered species (Red Data Book of USSR, 1984). However, not any species of orchids is included in the Red Data Book of Georgia (1982). On the other hand, in many countries all native species of the family of Orchidaceae are under protection. In literature, only general descriptions of distribution and abundance of orchid species distributed in Georgia is given (Grossheim 1949, 1967; Dmitrieva 1960; Kemularia-Natadse 1969; Galushko 1980; Kolakovsky 1980 etc.). The herbaria specimens kept in Georgian herbaria and elsewhere have been collected mainly from few sites. Therefore, we carried out the mapping of Georgian orchids which allow to build up a realistic distribution patterns of the single species. Another problem is that the old, often incorrect nomenclature of "Flora of Georgia" and "Key of Georgian Vegetation" as well as many obvious taxonomical problems urgently need a modern updating in the botanical literature, in general. |
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