Study on the community characteristics and conservation of endangered species Paphiopedilum purpuratum (Lindl.) Stein

The habitat conditions, species composition, floral components and characteristics of two communities of Paphiopedilum purpuratum (Lindl.) Stein were analyzed based on field work in the Baixi Nature Reserve of Zijin County, Heyuan City, Guangdong Province, China. A total of 94 vascular species were recorded, belonging to 79 genera and 47 families in plots. At the generic level, pantropical and tropical Asian genera were the dominant components, contributing 84.3% of the total genera, excluding cosmopolitan genera. The floristic composition of the community showed tropical and subtropical transition. In Community 1, Adiantum flabellulatum Linn. and Carex chinensis Retz. were dominant, with P. purpuratum as a companion species. In Community 2, however, P. purpuratum was the dominant species. Life form distribution was dominated by microphanerophytes, with limited macrophanerophytes, hemicryptophytes, and therophytes. Vine richness further increased under dense forest canopies. Comparing the two community habitats, P. purpuratum had a strong dependence on the environment, particularly on slope aspect and environmental humidity. There was no obvious selectivity for the associated plants of P. purpuratum. Based on these results, we suggest that the conservation of P. purpuratum is of considerable value, with the application of in-situ protection and reproduction techniques critical.