Description
Epipactis thunbergii (also called Thunberg's Helleborine, among many other common names) is a species of orchid native to Europe and the Mediterranean region. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with a stem up to 70 cm tall. The leaves are lanceolate and the flowers are white to pinkish with a dark purple lip. It grows in wet meadows, marshes, and along streams in full sun to partial shade.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Epipactis thunbergii has small, white flowers with yellowish-green sepals and petals. The flowers are borne in an umbel-like inflorescence. The seed is a small, black, round capsule with a single seed inside. The seedlings are small, with a single, long, narrow leaf and a single, short stem.
Cultivation and Propagation
Epipactis thunbergii is a terrestrial orchid that can be propagated through seed or division. It prefers moist, humus-rich soils in semi-shaded areas. It can be cultivated in containers or planted directly in the garden.