Sword-leaved Helleborine

Sword-leaved Helleborine
Sword-leaved Helleborine
Sword-leaved Helleborine
(Cephalanthera longifolia)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Neottieae
Subtribe: Limodorinae
Genus: Cephalanthera
Species: C. longifolia
Binomial name
Cephalanthera longifolia
(L.) Fritsch 1888
Synonyms
  • Cephalanthera ensifolia (Sw.) Rich.
  • Cephalanthera xiphophyllum Reichenb.
  • Epipactis ensifolia F.W. Schmidt
  • Epipactis longifolia Wettst.
  • Serapias helleborine subsp. longifolia L.
Narrow-leaved Helleborine redirects here; not to be confused with Narrow-lipped Helleborine

Cephalanthera longifolia, common name the Sword-leaved Helleborine or Narrow-leaved Helleborine, is an herbaceous perennial plant with rhizome belonging to the family Orchidaceae.

Contents

Etymology

The genus name Cephalanthera comes from the Greek cephalos (head) and antheros (anther), therefore means with round anthers. The Latin name longifolia means with long leaves .

Description

Close-up on a flower of Cephalanthera longifolia

Cephalanthera longifolia reaches on average 20–60 centimetres (7.9–24 in) of height in typical conditions. This orchid has erect and glabrous multiple stems. The leaves are dark green, long and narrow tapering (hence the common name of Sword-leaved Helleborine). The inflorescence consists of 8-20 bell-shaped flowers of about 1 cm in size. The flowers are white with a yellow-edged labellum and usually they are opened only during the warmest and brightest hours of the day. They can be found in bloom from April to June, depending on location and altitude. The flowers are pollinated by solitary bees and seeds are wind-dispersed.

Distribution

This orchid is present in much of western and southern Europe, in North Africa and in part of Asia up to China. It is common in some parts of its european range, such as southern France and Spain, but endangered particularly in northern areas such as Belgium. In Britain and Ireland is a quite uncommon and declining species, and conservation work is being carried out at a number of sites to safeguard it (see also Galley Down Wood). In 2007 it was listed as a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. The charity Plantlife International is leading this work in the UK.

Habitat

Sword-leaved Helleborine usually grow in damp woodland places (mainly oak and beech), forest edges and rocky slopes. These plants prefer calcareous soils and in well exposed places, at an altitude of 0–1,400 metres (0–4,600 ft) above sea level.

Gallery

Flower of Cephalanthera longifolia
Flower of Cephalanthera longifolia
Inflorescence of Cephalanthera longifolia
Plant of Cephalanthera longifolia
Leaves of Cephalanthera longifolia

References

  • Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia (3 voll.) - Edagricole - 1982
  • Tutin, T.G. et al. - Flora Europaea, second edition - 1993
  • Acta Plantarum


External links


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