Epipactis neerlandica/Epipactis helleborine var. neerlandica - Dutch Helleborine

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

This orchid is extremely rare and localised. Its name, neerlandica, means 'from Holland' where it can be found in the north.

Description

This orchid can grow up to 50cm in height, and in open situations it is a robust-looking plant with thick stems. In more shaded areas it is smaller and more delicate. Each inforescence has as many as 40 flowers which are pale green often tinged pink and with deep brown-to-maroon hypochiles making very attractive plants. The lips of the flowers have rather indistinct bosses.

Distribution

Epipactis neerlandica is a plant of the Atlantic region of Europe and can be found in Denmark (Jutland), Germany, Belgium and Holland. It is also reported in Southwest Wales at Kenfig National Nature Reserve near Port Talbot.

Habitat

Epipactis neerlandica occurs in woodland, but is not found in the deeply shaded parts that we sometimes associate with Epipactis helleborine.It also grows in open pine woodland on sandy soils and in sand dunes amongst willow scrub.

Flowering times

Epipactis neerlandica flowers from the mid-to-end of July and right through August.

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 species name of which means 'like a hellebore' - a reference to a physical resemblance in this instance. The specific epithet neerlandica means 'of the Netherlands (Holland)'.

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