Violet Helleborine Orchid (Epipactis purpurata f. chlorophylla) with no anthocyanin
Violet Helleborine Orchid (Epipactis purpurata f. chlorophylla) with no anthocyanin on the North Downs, Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty AONB, Kent England
We originally discovered this plant back in 2015, and we are so glad it made another appearance after missing it in 2016 due to predation. There are many opinions on this specimen but with the help of a few experts it is believed to be a Violet Helleborine (Epipactis purpurata) which is lacking anthocyanin, the colour pigments which make up the normal colourisation of these plants.
We are open to other interpretations if you care to share, but here are a few of the reasons for the ID. There are no other helleborines, specifically the other possibility being the Broad-leaved Helleborine, growing in this heavily canopied and dark woodland. It also grows alongside many other VH orchids, of which there were over 100 in this wood,
Violet Helleborine Orchid (Epipactis purpurata f. chlorophylla) with no anthocyanin
Violet Helleborine Orchid (Epipactis purpurata f. chlorophylla) with no anthocyanin on the North Downs, Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty AONB, Kent England
We originally discovered this plant back in 2015, and we are so glad it made another appearance after missing it in 2016 due to predation. There are many opinions on this specimen but with the help of a few experts it is believed to be a Violet Helleborine (Epipactis purpurata) which is lacking anthocyanin, the colour pigments which make up the normal colourisation of these plants.
We are open to other interpretations if you care to share, but here are a few of the reasons for the ID. There are no other helleborines, specifically the other possibility being the Broad-leaved Helleborine, growing in this heavily canopied and dark woodland. It also grows alongside many other VH orchids, of which there were over 100 in this wood,