Cephalanthera longifolia

Leaved helleborine ( Cephalanthera longifolia)

The Langblättrige helleborine or Schwertblättrige helleborine ( Cephalanthera longifolia ) is a plant of the genus helleborine ( Cephalanthera ) from the family of orchid family ( Orchidaceae).

Description

The Langblättrige helleborine is a perennial, herbaceous growing Rhizomgeophyt. The plant reaches a stature heights of 20 to 60 centimeters. The lanceolate to linear- lanceolate leaves are 4 to 6 times as long as wide. They are arranged more or less in two rows.

The racemose inflorescence is usually occupied 8-25 flowers. The pure white colored flowers open mostly only up to half. The raised lip has front of 4-7 orange bars. The flowering period extends from May to July. Although the flowers are pollinated, but self-pollination is the rule.

Dissemination

The distribution area extends from North Africa to Central Europe and into the eastern Mediterranean. As the site preferably the half- shade plant dry forests and hems, rarely also meadows. It is a characteristic species of the lime -beech forests.