Epipactis phyllanthes, G.E. Sm., 1852

D. M. Moore (ed.), 1980, CCIII Orchidaceae, Flora Europaea, Vol 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae, Camebridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 325-350 : 328

7. E. phyllanthes G. E. Sm. ,

Gard. Chron. 1852: 660 (1852).

Rhizome short, horizontal or oblique. Stem (8-)20-45(-65) cm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent, green. Leaves distichous, 3-6, 3*5-7 x 3-5 cm, orbicular to lanceolate, acute to acuminate, often concave, the margin sometimes undulate. Raceme up to 15 cm, 15- to 35-flowered; bracts linear-lanceolate, acuminate, the lower usually exceeding flowers. Flowers pendent; outer perianth-segments 8-10 mm, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, pale yellowish-green, the inner pale yellowish-green, sometimes with violet tinge. Labellum 6-8 mm; hypochile cupuliform to shallowly concave, whitish or greenish; epichile sometimes not clearly separated from hypochile, ovate-lanceolate to cordate, acute or acuminate, usually longer than wide, greenish-white to pinkish, often rugose or with two protuberances at base. Rostellum absent. Ovary more or less glabrous. 2n=36.

Open woodland, scrub and among coastal dunes; calci- cole.

• N. W. & W. C. Europe, extending to S. Sweden.?Au Br Da Ga Hb Su.

An autogamous species showing much variation, particularly in labellum shape, but intermediates are frequent and it is not possible to recognize categories above the varietal level.

Plants from Denmark and S. Sweden, which have been called E. confusa D. P. Young, Bot. Not. 1953: 263 (1953) ( E. persica auct., non (Soö) Hausskn. ex Nannf.), seem to differ from 7 only in their smaller size and in chromosome number (2n=40) and do not merit recognition at specific rank.