Description
Formerly known as Helleborine. Epipactus orchids need mycorrhizal fungi to propagate. The fungi enter the rhizomes giving rise to offshoots from which new Epipactus orchids emerge.
In woodland, especially Beech but also mixed or coniferous woods and scrub.
Flowers
Epipactus helleborine has about 50 flowers on its flower stalk, variable in colour. The petals are pale-pink to purplish-red, the sepals are green to greenish-yellow. The lip is pink with a reddish-brown base, triangular in shape with the tip curved under, 9-11 cm long.
Leaves
Elliptic oval leaf, Lanceolate leaf is lance-shaped: long and widest in the middle. Lower leaves: oval, pointed, alternate, encircling the stem.
Stem leaves: long, wider in the middle, pointed, 4-10 leaves in total.
Fruits Seeds
Capsule: with numerous tiny seeds.