Dark-red Helleborine Epipactis atrorubens… Caldrist ruddgoch
June – August
Identification: 15 – 40cm. Usually, about six leaves in pairs up the stem. The flowers hang loosely, generally along one side of the stem. They are typical helleborine shaped and a rich red colour including the lip. The yellow anthers are prominent. Both flowers and leaves can suffer from wind damage in some locations.
Similar species: The Broad-leaved Helleborine sometimes has reddish flowers although these are invariably tinged with green. In the latter, the leaves are found in a whorl of three and not opposite.
Habitat: In Wales found only on open limestone crags.
Distribution: Found only at a couple of locations along the north coats. On The Great Orme it can be found in reasonable numbers in good years.
Conservation issues: Very local and only found in although populations seem to be stable.
Notes: Numbers on the Great Orme are much depleted by the goat population and only seem to survive where they are out of reach of these animals.
…………………………………………………
Broad-leaved Helleborine Epipactis helleborine … Caldrist lydanddail
July – Mid August
Identification: 15 – 75cm. A very variable species in woodlands it can be lax and spindly in more open habitats it can be tall and luxuriant. The flowers which are quite large and open vary from very pale green to bright red and various combinations in between! The lip is flattened at the front and often indented. The leaves can be quite large, rounded and found in a whirl.
Similar species: This species can be confused with any of the helleborines growing in similar habitats, but the large open flowers, often reddish and the large rounded leaves will usually distinguish it from others species growing in Wales.
Habitat: In Wales it is typically found in wooded areas often at the edges of woods although it can also be found in the open even on dunes.
Distribution: At suitable habitats it can be found in good numbers but is largely absent from the mountainous areas and moors of mid and north Wales.
Conservation issues: None
Notes: The variety Neerlandica was described at Kenfig Burrows some time ago by Turner-Ettlinger. Recent work has indicated that these plants are probably the nominate taxon but having unusual features probably as adaptions to the dune environment.
…………………………………………………
Narrow-lipped Helleborine Epipactis leptochila … Caldrist gulfin
Late July – Mid August
Identification: 20 – 30cm. Inflorescence is rather spindly, often leaning over, with a few lanceolate leaves in two opposite rows. Flowers lax and pointing downwards, almost entirely green in colour with a sharply pointed lip.
Similar species: The Broad-leaved helleborine growing in a similar habitat can also be rather spindly, but has leaves in a whirl and the flowers are rarely green and without the pointed lip.
Habitat: Only Welsh location is mature beech wood under heavy shade.
Distribution: In Wales found only at a couple of locations to the North of Cardiff and possibly at a few sites in the west of Glamorgan but these need to be confirmed.
Conservation issues: Very rare and local although the small number of plants has remained stable.
Notes: The Cardiff specimen was first recorded by Dr Mary Gilham in 1975 and then by myself and Dr Kevin Davies in 1994.
…………………………………………………
Dune Helleborine Epipactis dunensis … Caldrist mor
July – August
Identification: 15 – 40cm. The flowers are loosely held and pointing downwards and sometimes only partially open. They are yellowish-green and rather dull although usually with a pink flush. The epichile points downwards from the hypochile which is a prominent dark-brown to red colour. The leaves are generally oval in shape sometimes tinged with violet and arranged in two rows.
Similar species: Similar to a small Broad Helleborine but this has its leaves in a whorl and is generally taller. Only found in one locality in Wales
Habitat: In damp dune slacks.
Distribution: Found only amongst the conifers in the dunes of Newborough Warren or possibly at a few sites along the north coast.
Conservation issues: Very local but occurs in good numbers at its one site although flowering can be variable.
Notes: For some time its status as a species has been in doubt, but DNA analysis has now confirmed it as a full species.
…………………………………………………
Green-flowered Helleborine Epipactis phyllanthes … Caldrist Melynwyrdd
Late June – July
Identification: 15 – 25cm. A rather insignificant plant, with green sepals and petals although the lip is usually paler. The lip is also small compared to other species of the genus. The flower hangs at the end of large ovary and frequently hardly opens. The leaves are borne in two rows up the stem.
Similar species: It is similar to a small woodland plant of the Broad-leaved Helleborine but with the flowers and smaller leaves growing in two rows.
Habitat: In Wales it has been found in heavily shaded woodland situations but also in open sand dunes.
Distribution: Found at a few sites on the dunes of south Wales coast and also at Morfa Dyffryn and Newborough.
Conservation issues: Very local and only found in small numbers. It may well be under-recorded.
Notes: This species can be very variable and various subspecies have been recorded.
…………………………………………………
Fen Orchid Liparis loeselii … Gefell-lys y Fignen
Late May – June
Identification: 3 – 10cm. The tiny yellow-green spikes carry a small number of spikey flowers which tend to point upwards. Two oval leaves are found at the base of the stem and are fairly conspicuous.
Similar species: None
Habitat: In the wet dune slacks of sand dunes.
Distribution: Until fairly recently this species was found at a number of sites along the Glamorganshire and Carmarthenshire coasts but it now seems to be found only at Kenfig Burrows.
Conservation issues: Our most threatened species. Thanks to intensive management small numbers are still hanging on at Kenfig.
Notes: In the UK this orchid is only found in south Wales and the Norfolk Fens. The Welsh species are short with distinctly oval leaves compared to the Norfolk plants and are treated as subspecies ovata.
…………………………………………………