Seasonal Wild Flowers

Marsh Helleborine

Epipactis palustris

Orchidaceae

July to August

It is scattered throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Marsh Helleborine

It grows in dune slacks and neutral or calcareous

grassland, especially in habitats prone to seasonal

flooding.

It also grows on cliffs and in quarries.

Marsh Helleborine is a native, patch-forming, rhizomatous,

perennial herb, growing up to 45cm.

Up to 14 flowers are on a spike (up to 15cm), somewhat

turned to one side.

The outer surfaces of the flowers are greenish-purple,

but open flowers show a white frilly lower lip with crimson

stripes and yellow markings.

Leaves are oblong-oviate to oblong lanceolate and

up to 15cm.

Stems are wiry and often purple and hairy.

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Next page: Montbretia

Marsh Helleborines in a dune slack,

Dawlish Warren, Devon

Flower spike

Flowers from front

Flower spike - purple, hairy stem

Leaves