greater butterfly-orchid
platanthera chlorantha latin

Lesser Butterfly-orchids are not to be confused with the Greater Butterfly-orchid, which are about the same size.

Platanthera chlorantha, commonly known as the Greater Butterfly-orchid, is a species of orchid in the genus Platanthera.

The flowers are night-scented, but the chemical components of the scent are different to those of Greater Butterfly-orchid and attract different pollinators.

These areas support a woodland flora such as Ivy Broomrape, White Helleborine and Greater Butterfly-orchid.

The Lesser Butterfly-orchid occupies a wide range of habitats, being far more tolerant of acid conditions than the Greater Butterfly-orchid.

Other plants of interest include Greater Butterfly-orchid (Platanthera chlorantha) and Meadow Saffron (Colchicum autumnale).

The upper edges of the reserve were not quarried and the area supports ancient woodland flowers such as Wood Anemone, Wood Sorrel, Primrose, Sweet Woodruff, Greater Butterfly-orchid, Herb Paris and Bluebell.

The richness of the reserve is demonstrated by the recorded species which include Columbine, Greater Butterfly-orchid, Wood Anemone, Bluebell, Yellow Archangel, Primrose, Early Purple Orchid, Cowslip and the Early Dog-violet in the spring.

These include the Greater Butterfly-orchid, Bee Orchid, Common Spotted-Orchid, Wild Columbine, Common Rock-rose, Milkwort, Kidney Vetch, Wild Thyme, Yellow-rattle and Devil's Bit Scabious during May and June.

Its flora is typical of ancient woodland and Common Bluebell and Wood Anemone are two of the more common species to be found in the wood; Greater Butterfly-orchid, Violet Helleborine and Crested Cow-wheat are amongst rarer plants found.

Platanthera chlorantha (the greater butterfly orchid of Europe)

Other plants of interest include Greater Butterfly-orchid (Platanthera chlorantha) and Meadow Saffron (Colchicum autumnale).