Epipactis microphylla

Small-leaved helleborine ( Epipactis microphylla )

The small-leaved helleborine ( Epipactis microphylla ) is a native orchid species.

Description and occurrence

The small-leaved helleborine orchid thrives mainly in beech forests, rarely in coniferous forests.

The small-leaved helleborine has only tiny, gray-green leaves without importance for food. It is usually a small and graceful plant whose stems are hairy white tomentose. She has only small schmallanzettliche stem leaves. The flowers are smaller in the armpits and have lanceolate bracts. They are pale green. The Petala is sometimes crowded reddish. The flowers smell strongly of vanilla. During flowering the Rostelldrüse is operational, but seldom in use. The small-leaved helleborine So pollinated mainly self ( optional autogamy ). The Epichil is heart-shaped at the base, with strong warty callus, has three wart-like elevations. Eye puncture the giant fruit capsules.

Their distribution is concentrated to the south of Lower Saxony and Thuringia.

Like all native orchid species is the small-leaved helleborine under protection.