With 240 documented species, Italy ranks among the European countries with the greatest orchid biodiversity. A distinctive heritage, made even more valuable by the presence of numerous endemic species. However, the climatic crisis, terrain modifications, human activity, and illegal commerce are all putting wild orchids at risk. Legambiente raises the alarm in the Biodiversity at Risk 2025 Report: among the declining species are the Lady’s Slipper Orchid, now nearly vanished from the Alps, and the Mirror Ophrys. The story of Dactylorhiza elata subsp. sesquipedalis, extinct in Sardinia in 2025, is remarkable. Only four species are currently protected at the European level by the Habitats Directive, which Legambiente believes is out of date and insufficient for reflecting the current state of risk. At the national level, protection is fragmented and delegated to regions, with significant disparities in conservation approaches. The environmentalist association believes that immediate interventions are required: regulatory updates, the establishment of additional protected areas, and the involvement of local communities. The collection of even parts of wild orchids is prohibited and constitutes a criminal offense. Raising citizen awareness is critical to saving these precious sentinels of biodiversity.