First records of three Epipactis taxa (Orchidaceae) in the Vojvodina Province

In recent decades, many new species of the genus Epipactis have been described across Europe. Many of these species were initially thought to be narrowly localized with small ranges. However, intensified research, particularly in well-preserved forests, has revealed these taxa in new and often distant locations from where they were initially described. Similarly, over the last 15 years, several new Epipactis taxa have been discovered in Serbia, primarily in the western regions of Central Serbia. Since 2018, our floristic research has recorded three Epipactis taxa, previously known only from Central Serbia, in the Vojvodina Province on Fruska Gora Mt. Epipactis helleborine subsp. distans was found at two, E. leptochila subsp. neglecta at one, and E. purpurata at two sites. These findings span three different UTM squares (10?10 km), with all three taxa occurring only in square 34TDR00. They were recorded in deciduous forests or their edges, primarily in beech-linden habitats. At these sites, negative habitat changes, primarily caused by the cutting of older trees, have been noted, resulting in shifts in community structure between 2018 and 2025. Considering the ongoing discovery of new Epipactis taxa in Serbia and its neighboring countries, it is likely that Fruska Gora Mt. still harbors overlooked species.