Young's helleborine  (Epipactis youngiana)

Classified as Endangered in Great Britain and fully protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (1).

This orchid is endemic to Great Britain, this means that it does not occur anywhere else in the world (3). The flower petals and sepals are mainly green and pink in colour (2).

At present this species is known from just six locations within the UK, five of these are in Scotland, the other is in Northumberland (1).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Originally, this species was found on clay soils in an oak wood, as well as on slightly acidic soils polluted with zinc and lead (4). More recently it has been found in Scotland growing on steep spoil heaps where deciduous trees are growing (4). It is typically found growing underneath regenerating trees, particularly birch, amongst light, patchy vegetation (1).

This species was first identified during the 1970s, but it was not described until 1982 (4); it is believed that it evolved following hybridisation between E. helleborine and possibly E. leptochila var. dunensis (1). In South Wales a colony of plants that are identical in appearance to Young's helleborine has been discovered, but it is thought that they may have evolved from hybridisation between E. helleborine 'neerlandica' and a type of E. phyllanthes (1).

The main threats to this species are the destruction of spoil heaps, and the extraction of material from them. A further threat is the neglect of wooded areas where this orchid is found, leading to a dense closed canopy that creates too much shade for the orchid to thrive (3). Two colonies have been lost as a result of woodland clearance (4). It is thought that this species may be under-recorded (4).

Young's helleborine is of exceptional interest and requires further genetic research, as it appears to be a complex of hybrids that prosper in man-made habitats. The conservation of the few remaining sites is therefore of utmost importance (1). This orchid is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species, and is listed under Plantlife's 'Back from the Brink' campaign (5).

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.

For more on this species see:

Plantlife Species Dossier:
http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/assets/saving-species/saving-species-dossier/Epipactis_youngiana_dossier.pdf

Details of the 'Back from the Brink' programme are at:
http://www.plantlife.org.uk/html/conservation_bfb_programme.htm