Epipactis dunensis - Dune Helleborine - (Orchidaceae)

Epipactis dunensis - Dune Helleborine

Patience is required when going to see the Dune Helleborine because even when the flower spikes appear to be fully formed it can be several weeks before they open.

Dune Helleborines are frequently described as boring or insignificant but a good specimen is a magnificent site, growing up to a metre in height. Currently known from coastal habitats in the UK.

The specimen above was photographed in Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve, where they grow in the forest and also in the sand dunes among willow scrub, in Anglesey in mid July.

The specimens in the forest are very tall while those found in the sand dunes are much smaller due to the exposed nature of their position.