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The genus Epipactis
contains a number of excellent species but, to my
mind, Epipactis palustris is one of the most beautiful
and distinctive of
them all. It also happens to be a British and Irish
native, although it is rarely seen in the north of
Scotland. The orchid
is in fact widely distributed across Europe from
Scandinavia to northern Italy but populations become
scarcer as the species approaches
the Mediterranean region. |
| As the name suggests it
thrives in damp, marshy situations and its typical
habitat in our part
of the world are the open damp slacks associated with
coastal dune complexes. Here, the sandy calcareous
soils meet with all
its demands ,allowing the long thin rhizomes to spread
efficiently with the minimum amount of hindrance.
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I discovered my initial
plant lingering in the far corner of a plant stall in
Scotland (ironically). It was well out of season, with
no sign of any growth, and with only a battered label
to indicate what might possibly lurk in the pot. I was
not very hopeful when I finally committed my purchase
to the soil. However, after a relatively short span of
time a substantial clonal population has developed out
of the initial planting.
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Epipactis palustris is
proving to be quite robust, and although I would
hesitate to describe such a beautiful orchid as unduly
aggressive neither could it be described as shy and
retiring. The species generally flowers in July and
although it is reputed to set plentiful seed, even
when self pollinated, this has not taken place to date
but because of those long, thin rhizomes it is
nevertheless doing very well thank you.
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References..
Orchids of the British Isles
Foley & Clarke Griffin Press
2005
..probably the most comprehensive
site for images
of European Orchids...
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