The recent BioBlitz drew attention to the orchid species on campus; including Bee Orchids, Pyramidal Orchids and the recently discovered White Helleborine. A further species is the Broad-leaved Helleborine of which there is a small but healthy population growing under oaks in the grassland on the far side of Whiteknights Lake.
The Helleborines are Orchids with stem leaves and no basal rosette, and with the flowers in long, dense spikes with three outer perianth segments and 2 inner segments and a lip jointed in two parts.
The Broad-leaved Helleborine is an attractive, robust plant with, as the common name suggests, broad oval leaves and the flowers greenish-purplish flowers.
A beautiful addition to Whiteknights Orchidaceous biodiversity!
