Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Orchidaceae ⟩ Epipactis palustris / marsh helleborine

Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz

marsh helleborine (Orchidaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
WidespreadSlight tendencySW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Epipactis palustris grows in fens and dune-slacks across England, Wales and Ireland; it is very rare in Scotland, found only in the southern Hebrides and one mainland site.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2008-07-06

 marsh helleborine / Epipactis palustris: _Epipactis palustris_ grows in fens and dune-slacks across England, Wales and Ireland; it is very rare in Scotland, found only in the southern Hebrides and one mainland site.

The flowers of Epipactis palustris have a labellum with a narrow constriction in the middle; the part beyond the constriction has slightly frilly edges.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2008-07-20

 marsh helleborine / Epipactis palustris: The flowers of _Epipactis palustris_ have a labellum with a narrow constriction in the middle; the part beyond the constriction has slightly frilly edges.

In fruit

Braunton Burrows (VC4: North Devon); 2016-07-17

 marsh helleborine / Epipactis palustris: In fruit

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne