Epipactis phyllanthes var. cambrensis - Green-flowered Helleborine - (Orchidaceae)

Green-flowered Helleborine at Kenfig NNR

Epipactis phyllanthes is a confusing and very variable plant which grows both in woodland locations, which are widely distributed, but also in sand dune sites in Wales and Lancashire. The plants can grow to a maximum of 40cm, but they are often smaller. Up to 40 flowers are carried on a somewhat drooping infloresence, and they are a rather unappealing yellowish-green colour. When found in woodland this orchid can be frustrating to photograph as the flowers often don't open. Specimens found in the more open environment of sand dunes nearly always open fully, exposing the shallow hypochile.

A close-up picture of Epipactis phyllanthes

The plant is found in shady woodlands on chalky soil, and can often grow in quite dense vegetation making it very difficult to spot. Although cross-pollination is possible with newly-opened flowers, Epipactis phyllanthes is thought to be cleistogamous - fertilisation occurs in the bud.

Green-flowered Helleborine is found in the countries of the Atlantic region of Europe including France, the UK, Spain and Ireland. It is rare and localised wherever it occurs. Whilst woodland sites seem to be in decline, some of the coastal sites are showing increases in the number of plants that occur there.

The plants on this page were photographed at Kenfig National Nature Reserve in Wales in the UK at the end of July. The flowers persist until well into August, and Kenfig has plants in woodland and sand dune habitats in remote parts of the reserve.