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Rare Fen Orchid Rescued from Brink of Extinction
5 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Fen orchid, once endangered, now listed as near threatened
- Conservation efforts over decades enabled reintroduction to more sites
- Fen orchid population now exceeds 10,000 plants in England and Wales
In a rare conservation success story, the fen orchid, one of Britain's most endangered orchids, has been rescued from the brink of extinction. According to the new Great British Red List for vascular plants published in November 2025, the fen orchid is no longer listed as at risk of extinction, but rather as "near threatened."
This turnaround is the result of decades of dedicated conservation efforts by various organizations. By 2010, the fen orchid was reported to grow wild in just three locations in East Anglia and one site in Wales, with a total population of no more than 1,000 plants. However, through reintroduction programs and habitat restoration, the orchid's population has now grown to over 10,000 plants across seven sites in England and three in Wales.
The fen orchid's recovery stands in contrast to the overall bleak picture for Britain's wild plants. The new Red List reveals that more than a quarter of the country's native and pre-1500 AD introduced species are now threatened with extinction. Factors such as intensive agriculture, neglect of landscapes, development, and pollution have contributed to the decline of many once-common wildflowers.
