Helleborines
What are they?
The helleborines include some of our more flamboyant orchids with relatively large, open flowers, bearing broad sepals and petals. They differ from most other orchid groups in having broad stem leaves that persist through the flowering period (most orchids have leaves that wither or fade as flowering starts) and in their seed capsules which tend to be pendulous rather than rigidly upright.
Where are they found?
These plants occur in a variety of habitats with some species favouring woodland and others being plants of open wetlands. Woodland species tend to do best in managed sites that are coppiced periodically, providing open clearings.
Identification
Some helleborine species groups have a complex taxonomy and can prove difficult to identify to species. Fortunately for East Anglian botanists, such groups do not occur in our area and the few species that we have are relatively easy to tell apart based on leaf, stem and flower details.
Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palustris
Native in calcareous fens on permanently wet ground. Still frequent in Norfolk where it can occur in good quantity in favoured locations, but rare elsewhere. Flowers June to August. A very showy species, having something of the look of the tropical Cymbidiums that are popular as house plants. Flowers very variable in colour, from green and white to purple and white, depending on the strength of red colour pigments.
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Violet Helleborine Epipactis purpurata
Native in deep shade in coppiced woods in a handful of locations from South Suffolk, south-west across North Essex. Flowers August to September. A variable species with spikes from 20-80cm in height with usually numerous, tightly packed flowers. Leaves spirally arranged on the stems typically with a purple-red wash to them which sometimes extends to the otherwise green and white flowers. Individuals which lack chlorophyll (chlorotic) are entirely white or stained reddish on the stems and are not infrequent in this species.
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Broad-leaved Helleborine Epipactis helleborine
Native, scattered in woodland and shady shelter belts throughout the region. Flowers July to September. Spikes can grow to a metre in height and contain up to 50 flowers, though plants may often be much smaller. Flowers with an open, star-shaped look and broad sepals and petals. Leaves green, broadly ovate, usually spirally arranged on the stem. Flower spike hairy between the flowers.
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Green-flowered Helleborine Epipactis phyllanthes
Native, in shady woodland. An enigmatic species that has apparently disappeared from much of the region and may now only be present at two sites in Norfolk. However, plants appeared recently within the boundaries of the City of Norwich, so it may turn up again elsewhere. Flowers July to August. Spikes to 50cm in height and contain up to 35 flowers, though plants are frequently much smaller. Flowers green and often (typically in Norfolk specimens) not opening but self-pollinating within a more or less closed flower. The flowers occasionally openly partly after pollination, but are then often already starting to turn brown. Leaves broadly ovate, arranged in two ranks on the stem. Flower spike not hairy between the flowers.
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