Epipactis phyllanthes var. vectensis - Green-flowered Helleborine

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

Epipactis phyllanthes var.vectensis is as confusing as other members of the Green-flowered helleborine genus.

Description

Very similar to Green-flowered Helleborine Epipactis phyllanthes except for the deeply divided lip which surrounds a tiny, almost non-existant hypochile.

Distribution

Known to occur in the Isle of White, parts of southern England and north to Yorkshire Epipactis phyllanthes var. vectensis is also to be found growing at Alyn Waters Country Park, North Wales.

Habitat

In and on the edges of woodlands.

Flowering times

This orchid flowers from the end of July and into September.

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 phyllanthes means 'leaf-flowers' and may refer to the fact that the leaves and flowers are the same colour, while the subspecies name vectensis means 'from the Isle of Wight'.

Acknowledgements

Pictures: 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