Epipactis purpurata, Sm., 1828, 1828

D. M. Moore (ed.), 1980, CCIII Orchidaceae, Flora Europaea, Vol 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae, Camebridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 325-350 : 327

6. E. purpurata Sm. ,

Engl. FI. 4: 41 (1828)

. Rhizome short, vertical. Stem 20-70 cm, pubescent above, purplish below, with sheathing scales. Leaves spirally arranged, 5-10, 6-10 x 2-5 cm, ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, acute to shortly acuminate, greyish or purplish. Raceme 15-25 cm, many-flowered; bracts linear, acuminate, the lower usually exceeding flowers. Flowers obliquely pendent when mature; outer perianth-segments 10-12 mm, lanceolate, subobtuse, green outside, whitish inside, the inner whitish, sometimes with pinkish tinge. Labellum 8-10 mm; hypochile cupuliform, greenish outside, usually mottled with violet inside; epichile triangular-cordate, acute, with recurved apex, as long as or longer than wide, whitish, with 2-3 smooth, confluent basal protuberances. Rostellum persistent. Ovary scabridulous. In = 40.

Woods; somewhat calcicole.

• N. W. & C. Europe, extending south-eastwards to Bulgaria. Au Be Br Bu Cz Da Ga Ge?Gr He Hu Ju Po Rrn Rs (W).