Summary Himantoglossum adriaticum is described and illustrated here as one of Europe's largest terrestrial orchids, bearing spectacular spiral‐tailed flowers with a characteristic goat‐like scent. Endemic to the central and northern Adriatic region but scattered as far north as Hungary, its fragmented populations have declined through habitat loss and illegal collection. We review its phylogeny, morphology, ecological interactions, and cultivation. Current assessments list it as Least Concern, but the taxon is also listed in Annex II and IV of ‘Habitat Directive', and effective conservation will require safeguarding grassland refugia, monitoring genetic diversity, and supporting ex‐situ symbiotic germination research.