Epipactis helleborine var. purpurea - Broad-leaved Helleborine

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Liliopsida - Order: Orchidales - Family: Orchidaceae

Broad-leaved Helleborine is common throughout its range and grows in dark woodlands, quite often appearing very close to well trodden paths. Coniferous and Beech woodlands are particularly good for Epipactis helleborine. Far less common is this very rare variety of Broad-leaved Helleborine, Epipactis helleborine var. purpurea, along with the white-leaved variety Epipactis helleborine var. albifolia and the green-flowered one, Epipactis helleborine var. viridiflora.

Description

Epipactis helleborine var.purpurea can be differentiated from other specimens of Broad-leaved Helleborine by its large and deep purple flowers.

Pollination

Violet Helleborines are pollinated by wasps, which are attracted by the flowers' nectar. The picture below shows a wasp on the lip of a Violet Helleborine.

Distribution

The plants shown on this page were found at Hutton Roof Crags in Cumbria but their rarity makes is very difficult to form an opinion as to the true range of the plant.

Habitat

The specimens shown on this page were found on limestone pavement.

Flowering times

July and August are the best time to search for this intriguing plant.

Etymology

The genus name Epipactis is an ancient Greek name of a plant said to be capable of curdling milk (perhaps a Hellebore). The type species of this genus is Epipactis helleborine, the specific epithet of which means 'like a hellebore' - a reference to a physical resemblance in this instance. The subspecies name purpurea means 'purple'.

Acknowledgements

This page includes pictures kindly contributed by Betty and Tony Rackham and by: Elaine Hagget...

Reference sources

The Plant List

Sue Parker (2023) Wild Orchids of Wales - how, when and where to find them; First Nature e-book (Amazon Kindle format)

Anne and Simon Harrap (2005) Orchids of Britain and Ireland; A&C Black

Pierre Delforge (2005) Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; A&C Black

Den Nordiska Floran (1992) Bo Mossberg, Stefan Ericsson and Lennart Stenberg; Wahlstrom & Widstrand