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Orchidaceae
Red Helleborine
Cephalanthera rubra
Rare woodland grace and conservation urgency.
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Genus
- Cephalanthera
- Native to
- Europe, western Asia, North Africa
- Bloom season
- Late Spring, Early Summer
- Type
- terrestrial orchid
- Height
- 20–60 cm
- Sunlight
- part shade
- Soil
- alkaline, calcareous, well-drained woodland soil
- Water
- low to medium
- Hardiness
- 5–9
- Lifespan
- long-lived perennial
Did you know
- Red helleborine is one of Europe's rarest orchids — in Britain, only a single known wild plant exists.
- The flower mimics bellflowers to deceive solitary bees into pollinating it without offering any nectar reward.
- It depends on mycorrhizal fungi for nutrition throughout its life, not just during germination.
- The species can remain dormant underground for years, resurfacing only when conditions are favorable.
- Poaching of wild orchids has necessitated keeping exact locations of red helleborine secret in several countries.
Color meanings
Pink
elusive elegance