Mystery Helleborine

[jeffnsue]

Hi Chaps

A chum of mine was out north of Wrexham yesterday and photographed Helleborines at a woodland site.

Most were Broad-Leaved Helleborine



but this was a different plant growing amongst a group of Broad-Leaved. Could it be Green-Flowered Helleborine or does anyone have any other ideas please?



THanks

Jeff

[Dorts]

Jeff, the first plant is remarkably like Dune Helleborine - Epipactis dunensis. Interesting because there are no records of it in tha area. I would like to see this plant if that is possible, to confirm one way or the other.

The other plant is Green-flowered Helleborine - E. phyllanthes, a very 'open-flowered' form. This has been recorded in that area.
Dorts.

[jeffnsue]

Here's a picure of the full plant, the top plant in my previous post. It was growing 'in profusion' in broad leaved woodland.



Jeff

[Dorts]

Jeff, this comparison is why I am so interested in your plant.

Your plants.



Dune Helleborine I photographed on Anglesey..


I think the likeness is very good and worth further investigation.
There are certainly possibilities your plant is Broad-leaved Helleborine, such is the variety found in that species. Broad-leaved woodland is not a habitat in which Dune H. is normally found, (normally dunes or pine-woods).
Most interesting.
Dorts.

[markbugman]

looks like a Dune Helleborine to me

[Dorts]

I am pleased to say, after sending photo copies of this plant to the BSBI Epipactis Referee, that he has confirmed my thoughts and has determined this plant to be:

Dune Helleborne - Epipactis dunensis (T. + T.A. Stephenson) Godfrey. Syn. E. leptochila var. dunensis (T, + T.A. Stephenson) T, + T.A. Stephenson.




This would appear to be a totaly new location for this rare and very local Orchid.
I am going to visit the site tomorrow and after getting an exact grid ref. will be sending any records I find to the County Recorder.
Many thanks goes to Jeff for (inadvertantly) drawing this plant to my attention.
Dorts.

[the young hunter]

Wow! 2 incredible finds and if that Green-flowered wasn't there you wouldn't have needed to post on here and the site would never have come to fruition as a new Dune Helleborine locality Excellent stuff. I suppose Wrexham isn't far from Anglesey so probably represents children of the same plants from Newborough (or vice versa).

Mike.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by the young hunter

Wow! 2 incredible finds and if that Green-flowered wasn't there you wouldn't have needed to post on here and the site would never have come to fruition as a new Dune Helleborine locality Excellent stuff. I suppose Wrexham isn't far from Anglesey so probably represents children of the same plants from Newborough (or vice versa).
Mike.

They match Anglesey plants almost perfectly from what I can see. Far more so than those on the Formby Dunes, which tend to be less 'elegant, but more colourfull.
Dorts.

[leifus]

this is great news, still a species I'm yet to see!