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Marsh Helleborine

©Les Binns

Marsh Helleborine

©Philip Precey

Marsh helleborine

The Marsh helleborine is a beautiful orchid of fens, wet grassland and dune slacks. Growing in profusion in places, look for reddish stems and white-and-pink flowers.

Scientific name

Epipactis palustris

When to see

July to August

Species information

Statistics

Height: up to 50cm
Protected in Northern Ireland under the Wildlife Order, 1985.

About

A stunning orchid of wetland areas, the Marsh helleborine can be found in fens, damp grassland, marshes and dune slacks, particularly on chalky soils. Its rather loose flower spike carries up to 20 white-and-pink flowers during July and August; in some areas, forests of hundreds of plants can colour the green marsh vegetation. But despite its profusion in places, the Marsh helleborine is declining due to habitat loss.

How to identify

The Marsh helleborine has broad, oval leaves at the base of the stem, and narrower leaves higher up the reddish stem. The flower spike consists of a loose cluster of white flowers that have a white, frilly lip and reddish sepals which look like wings; they hang on reddish stalks.

Distribution

Mainly found in England; locally common in the south.

Did you know?

Marsh helleborines occur throughout Europe and also in parts of Asia and America.