EPIPACTIS CRETICA

Family and Genus:- See- ORCHIDACEAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Epipactis helleborine subsp. persica, Epipactis

microphylla subsp. persica, Helleborine persica.

Meaning:- Epipactis (Gr) A name used by the Greek philosopher Theophrastus for

a Helleborine orchid.

Cretica (L) From Crete, Cretan.

General description:- A somewhat, dainty plant.

Stems:-

1) Up to 40 cm. greenish-violet in colour, sparsely covered with fine hairs.

Leaves:-

1) Cauline, alternate, few (3 or 4), the lowest c. 10 cm above ground, spreading,

ovate.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, sparse with few flowers, up to 20, greenish-red, drooping.

2) Perianth-segments, triangular-ovate, acute

2) Sepals and petals greenish with a hint of red.

3) Labellum;

a) hypochile brownish-green inside.

b) epichile, cordate, coming to a point, greenish or light pinkish-purple, ending

in two elongated protuberances at its base.

Key features:-

1) Perianth-segments, triangular-ovate, acute

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Gorges with woodland of Acer sempervirens, Cupressus sempervirens,

Quercus coccifera. etc. 700-1300 m.

Distribution:- Cretan endemic, confined to the three main massifs Lefka Ori,

Psiloritis and Dikti. Very rare.

Flowering time:- May-June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton