Greater Butterfly Orchid
by
Shop
Platanthera chlorantha
Rare & localized in Britain.
Similar to lesser butterfly-orchid, Platanthera bifolia, which is about the same size, but with smaller flowers.
Its leaves are broad, shiny and elliptical, with a large pair at the base, and much smaller, more lanceolate leaves up the stem.
The flowers are greenish-white, scented of vanilla, with spreading sepals and petals.
The lip of the flower is long, narrow and undivided. The flower has a very long spur.
The flowers form a rather loose spike.
The pollen masses diverge to touch both sides of the pollinating insect.
Flowering in Britain is in May to July, but earlier in the south of Europe.