Sword-leaved helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia)
Facts
| Also known as: | Narrow-leaved helleborine |
|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Orchidales |
| Family | Orchidaceae |
| Genus | Cephalanthera (3) |
| Size |
Height: 40-60 cm (1) |
| Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life, at Nature Navigator |  |
Status
Not listed under any major conservation designations.
Description
Sword-leaved helleborine, also know as narrow-leaved helleborine, has white flowers with a yellow or orange-edged lip. Each plant may produce either a single or several upright stems, and the flowers occur in spikes. The dark green leaves are long and tapering, hence the common name (1). This feature enables the species to be distinguished from the similar white helleborine, Cephalanthera damasonium, which has shorter leaves (4).
Range
This orchid has been widely recorded, but is scattered in Britain and Ireland and is rarely abundant (6). It declined markedly in the 19th and 20th centuries (6), but strongholds remain in Hampshire, western England and western Scotland (7). Elsewhere it occurs locally throughout much of Europe and temperate Asia across to China and the Himalayas but is local and rare in some countries, and is often common in Asia (1).
| You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway |  |
Habitat
A characteristic woodland glade species, sword-leaved helleborine is found growing in calcareous soils in woodlands, particularly those in southeast England with a high proportion of beech trees (1), but also occurs in rocky woodland and gorges, and is (rarely) found in sand dunes (7). It prefers more open patches with permanent light, especially south-facing rocky slopes and woodland rides and edges (6).
Biology
This perennial orchid flowers in May and June (1). It tends to flower only if conditions are favourable with sufficient light, and it can persist vegetatively in deep shade for many years (7). It reproduces by seed. Flowers are pollinated by small solitary bees and are probably not self-fertile (7). Fruit production is relatively poor (10-20%), but large numbers of seeds are set in capsules that do develop (7). Seeds are wind-dispersed, and require a mycorrhizal fungal partner to develop (7).
Threats
Although able to thrive in relatively shady conditions, if the canopy becomes too dense this orchid could suffer (3). The original decline of this species was thought to be largely caused by the decrease in coppicing in woodlands (7). Some sites have been lost due to habitat destruction and collecting (7).
Conservation
Little information is available on the conservation of this species. It is included in Plantlife's Back From the Brink Campaign, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew have been working on propagation techniques for rare orchids.
Further Information
For more on Plantlife, the wild plant charity see:
http://www.plantlife.org.uk
For more on Plantlife's Back from the Brink Campaign see:
http://www.plantlife.org.uk/html/conservation_bfb_programme.htm
Authentication
Information authenticated by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/ and Tim Rich of the National Museums and Galleries of Wales.
Calcareous: containing free calcium carbonate, chalky.
Coppicing: traditional form of woodland management in which trees are cut close to the base of the trunk. Re-growth occurs in the form of many thin poles. Woodlands are cut in this way on rotation, producing a mosaic of different stages of re-growth.
Lip: in plants, petal or petals that form a lobe.
Mycorrhizal: a fungus that forms a close physical association with the roots of a plant, this relationship is mutually beneficial.
Perennial: plants that live for at least three seasons; after an initial period they produce flowers once a year.
Rides: the footpaths and access tracks which run through and divide blocks of trees in woodland. Many rides contain a mixture of rich flora and structure, and provide different habitat conditions for a range of wildlife.
References
- Grey-Wilson, C. (1994) Eyewitness Handbooks: Wild Flowers of Britain and Northwest Europe. Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Plantlife (March 2002):
http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/plantlife-saving-species-under-our-care.html#S - Rare Plants.co.uk (March 2002):
http://rareplants.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=1135&strPageHistory=search&strKeywords=Cephalanthera,longifolia&numPageStartPosition=1&strSearchCriteria=any&PT_ID=all - British Wild Flower Gallery (March 2002):
http://www.pnielsen.dircon.co.uk/wflowers.htm - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- Preston, C. D., Pearman, D. A., Dines, T. D. (2002) New Atlas of the Flora of Britain and Ireland, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
- Byfield, A. (1993) The status and ecology of Cephalanthera longifolia in Britain, with conservation recommendations. Plantlife and The Hampshire Wildlife Trust.
