Epipactis purpurata - Violet Helleborine
The beautiful pink-suffused fower illustrated here is
a rare variety (Var. rosea) containing no
cholorphyll. The flowers are more commonly bright green
with pinkish lips. It is the violet tint of the leaves
and stems which gives this orchid its common name.
Growing to around 40 cm typically, the Violet
Helleborine can sometimes be as much as one metre in
height. It grows in shaded woodlands (especially Beech)
and sometimes in conifer plantations. It likes deep,
slightly moist soils.
The specimen above was photographed in Surrey in July
but the Violet Helleborine can also be found throughout
the UK and in the temperate zone of west and central
Europe.
Wild Orchids in Wales
Dozens of wild orchid are featured in the First Nature Guide to
Locating and Identifying Wild Orchids in Wales
Wild Orchids in The Burren
Ireland's world-famous limestone pavement habitat
in County Clare is home to nearly every wild orchid found in Ireland.
A full colour guide to the Burren's orchids is now available
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