Sword-leaved Helleborine

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iSword-leaved Helleborine
Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia)
Sword-leaved Helleborine
(Cephalanthera longifolia)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Neottieae
Subtribe: Limodorinae
Genus: Cephalanthera
Species: C. longifolia
Binomial name
Cephalanthera longifolia
(L.) Fritsch 1888

The Sword-leaved Helleborine, Cephalanthera longifolia, is a terrestrial orchid found in much of western and southern Europe. It is common in some parts of its range, such as southern France and Spain, but endangered particularly in northern areas such as Belgium.

The long, narrow tapering leaves give the plant its common name. The plant reaches a height of about 25 cm in typical conditions. The infloresence consists of 8-20 bell-shaped flowers of about 1cm in size, often not full open. It can be found in bloom from April to August, depending on location and altitude. It typically grows in damp woodland places.