EPIPACTIS MICROPHYLLA

Family and Genus:- See- ORCHIDACEAE

Common Names:- Small-leaved hellerbine

Homotypic Synonyms:- Amesia microphylla, Epipactis helleborine var.

microphylla, Epipactis latifolia var. microphylla, Epipactis latifolia subsp.

microphylla, Helleborine microphylla, Limodorum microphyllum,

Serapias latifolia var. microphylla, Serapias microphylla

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

a Helleborine orchid.

Microphylla (L) With small leaves.

General description:- Short to medium, rhizomatous perennial.

Stem:-

1) 15-40 cm, with basal sheathing scales, hairy in the upper part.

Leaves:-

1) Small, spirally arranged, 3-6, 1-2·5(-3) x c. 1 cm, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate,

acuminate., usually not more than 30 mm long.

Flowers:-

1) Raceme, 3-12 cm, 4- to 15-flowered, the rhachis densely pubescent.

2) Bracts, lanceolate, acuminate, the lower as long as the flowers.

3) Flowers, patent.

4) Perianth-segments;

a) outer, c. 7 mm, elliptic-ovate, subobtuse, greenish with a reddish

tinge outside, whitish-green inside.

b) inner, ovate, whitish-green.

5) Labellum, 6·5-7 mm;

a) hypochile, cupuliform, greenish-brown.

b) epichile, orbicular-ovate, subobtuse, whitish or pale pink, crenate, slightly

undulate, with rugose protuberances at the base.

6) Rostellum, persistent.

7) Ovary, densely pubescent.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, dehiscing, by 3 or 6 longitudinal slits.

2) Seeds, numerous, minute, with undifferentiated embryo and no endosperm.

Key features:-

1) Leaves, 1-3 cm, spirally arranged.

2) Flowers, greenish, with a reddish tinge.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Deciduous and occasionally coniferous woodland. (150-)300-1300 m.

Distribution:- Scattered on mainland Greece and Peloponnisos. Primarily a

mountain plant in the Mediterranean region, but sometimes coastal or lowland. Rare

on Crete with limited distribution.

Flowering time:- May to mid-July.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton