The occurrence of Dactylorhiza incarnata subsp. incarnata (Orchidaceae) in the Polish Carpathians

Dactylorhiza incarnata subsp. incarnata is a rather frequent subspecies in Poland, found at more than 1000 localities concentrated mainly in the northern, central and eastern parts of the country. In the Polish Carpathians it is a very rare taxon, known today from only ten localities; the Red Book of the Polish Carpathians lists it as critically endangered (CR) there. Field studies carried out in the last two years, combined with a detailed herbarium and literature search, identified 23 localities of D. incarnata subsp. incarnata (11 extant, 12 extinct or lost). Four other localities are questionable, and six were mistakenly given. A distribution map (cartogram), vertical distribution diagram, and list of localities and their characteristics are given. The taxon is extremely rare in the western part of the studied Carpathian area, and in the eastern part the number of localities is increasing. A new elevation maximum in Poland was established at 580m above sea level