Cephalanthera longifolia - Sword-leaved Helleborine - (Orchidaceae)

Cephalanthera longifolia - Sword-leaved Helleborine

Although generally associated (in the UK) with the chalk-rich habitats of southern England, the Sword-leaved Helleborine also occurs in western Scotland, a few sites in Ireland and in the western fringes of Mid and North Wales. It is in steep decline both in the UK and throughout Europe where it is widespread but never common.

We seen and photographed this lovely orchid in both the Lot Valley in France and also in the Triglav Narodni National Park in Slovenia.

The Sword-leaved Helleborine grows to about 40 cm in height and can be found on woodland edges and occasionally on roadside verges. The Latin name 'longifolia' means long-leaved, an apt description of the plant.

The specimen show above was photographed on a roadside verge in Hampshire in June.