Cephalanthera rubra, (L.) L. C. M. Richard, 1817

D. M. Moore (ed.), 1980, CCIII Orchidaceae, Flora Europaea, Vol 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae, Camebridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 325-350 : 329

5. C. rubra (L.) L. C. M. Richard,

Orchid. Eur. Annot. 38 (1817).

Stem 20-60 cm, erect, striate and glandular-pubescent above, with a few brownish, sometimes green-tipped, basal sheaths. Leaves 5-8, 5-12 cm, acute, the lower oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate, the upper linear-lanceolate. Spike up to 12 cm, (2-)3- to 10(-12)-flowered. Flowers bright pink or purplish, open, exceeding most or all of the bracts. Outer perianth- segments 17-22(-25) mm, lanceolate, subacute, patent, glandu­ lar-pubescent outside; inner lateral 15—18(—20) mm, ovate- lanceolate, subacute, connivent. Labellum about as long as outer perianth-segments, white, the epichile acute, with purple margin and 7-9 narrow yellowish ridges; spur absent. Ovary glandular- pubescent. In = 48.

Woods; usually calcicole.

Most of Europe, northwards to S. England and S. Finland. Al Au Be Br Bu Co Cr Cz Da Fe Ga Ge Gr He fHo Hs Hu It Ju Lu No Po Rm Rs (B, C, W, K, E) Sa Si Su Tu.