FLAGSHIP SPECIES

What is a Flagship Species?

It is a species selected to represent a plant, animal or ecosystem at risk.  Regional Orchid Specialist Groups can nominate up to five species to represent their Region.

How are Flagship Species selected?

The North American Regional Group developed selection criteria.  Exceptional rarity was not the prime criterion but the existence of artificial propagation and of conservation initiatives was considered important.

Selection Critera

Flagship species should -

1.

have attributes to attract public interest;

2.

represent a range of habitats and ecosystems in the Region;

3.

represent the range of threats to orchid survival such as development for agriculture, habitation or industry, forestry practices, and drainage of wetlands.

Which Orchids were selected as

Flagship Species for the North American Region?

Profiles in both English and French are available for each of the species listed, as PDF files for downloading and for printing in two paper sizes - ISO A4 and US Letter.

Cypripedium reginae  Walter

Representing northeastern wetlands of both the USA and Canada.

Epipactis gigantea  Douglas ex Hooker

Representing the mountainous regions from southern British Columbia and adjacent regions of the USA into Mexico.

Platanthera praeclara  Sheviak & Bowles

Representing the North American Prairie region, especially the Tall Grass Prairie.