Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz
(Broad-leaved Helleborine)

Taxonomic hierarchy:
SpeciesEpipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine)
GenusEpipactis (Epipactis helleborines)
FamilyORCHIDACEAE (orchids)
OrderASPARAGALES (orchids, daffodils, onions & irises)
ClassMAGNOLIOPSIDA (flowering plants)
PhylumTRACHEOPHYTA (vascular plants)
KingdomPLANTAE (plants)
DomainEukaryota (eukaryotes)
LifeBIOTA (living things)
Records of Epipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine) :
1: Epipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine)
21 Jul 2019 OSGR: SU00 50° 50’ N, 1° 60’ W Vice County: Dorset (VC 9) England
c. 100 plants along both sides of path
Image 1: Flower spikes with wasp carrying polliniaImage 2: Flower spike with soldier beetle carrying polliniaImage 3: Group of plants at side of path
2: Epipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine)
4 Dec 2011 OSGR: SY68 50° 40’ N, 2° 30’ W Vice County: Dorset (VC 9) England
very late for it to be in flower!
Image 1: InflorescenceImage 2: Plant
3: Epipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine)
6 Aug 1978 OSGR: SU94 51° 10’ N, 0° 40’ W Vice County: Surrey (VC 17) England
with wasp pollenator
Image 1: Flower spikeImage 2: Flower spike with wasp pollenatorImage 3: Flowers with wasp pollenator - close-upImage 4: PlantImage 5: Flower - face view - enlargedImage 6: Flower - face view - enlarged (2)Image 7: Flowers with wasp pollenator (Vespula sylvestris) - enlargedImage 8: Wasp pollenator (Vespula sylvestris) with pollinia on face - enlarged
4: Epipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine)
6 Aug 1978 OSGR: SU94 51° 10’ N, 0° 40’ W Vice County: Surrey (VC 17) England
Pollinated by Wood Wasp. The wasp has a bunch of pollenia attached to her face.
Image 1: Wasp visiting flower - enlargedImage 2: Wasp visiting flower - enlarged (2)Image 3: Wasp visiting flower - enlarged (3)Image 4: Wasp with pollenia attached to face - close-up - enlargedImage 5: Wasp with pollenia attached to face - enlargedImage 6: Wasp with pollenia attached to face - enlarged (2)Image 7: Wasp with pollenia attached to face - enlarged (3)
5: Epipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine)
25 Aug 1968 OSGR: TQ15 51° 20’ N, 0° 20’ W Vice County: Surrey (VC 17) England
Image 1: Plant

Identification Works

AuthorYearTitleSource
Lewis, L. & Spencer, E.J. 2005 Epipactis phyllanthes var cambrensis (C.A.Thomas) P.Sell and other unusual Epipactis at Kenfig National Nature Reserve Watsonia Vol 25 (Part 3): 290-295.

Epipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine) may also be included in identification literature listed under the following higher taxa:

NBNNBN (data.nbn.org.uk) has a distribution map for Epipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine)
BioInfoBioInfo (www.bioinfo.org.uk) has 9 host/parasite/foodplant and/or other relationships for Epipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine)

Pollinated by wasps. The flower produces chemicals identical to those produced by cabbage leaves damaged by Large White Caterpillars, a major wasp prey item. This chemical mimicry is thought to attract the wasps.

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