Epipactis in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.

After my trip to Southern Germany a few days later I nipped over to Lincolnshire and Cloud Wood LRWT to check out a few Epipactis (Helleborine) sites.
Green-flowered Helleborine
The first stop of the day was Whisby nature park near Lincoln for the Green-flowered Helleborines (Epipactis phyllanthes) and following the directions from Grahame Cadwood, one of the wardens at Whisby I was soon photographing a new orchid species for me, GF Hells OMFL!!
In the same area were also good numbers of Broad-leaved Helleborines (Epipactis helleborine) and of particular note the variety Var.viridiflora.
                                                       Var.viridiflora at Whisby 
The next stop of the day was Messingham Quarry LWT for one of the few inland sites in the country for Dune Helleborine (Epipactis dunensis).
With directions from Grahame and Mark Lynes it wasn't long before I was photographing this very understated orchid and I found at least fifteen plant spikes.
Dune Helleborine

The final stop of the day was back to familiar ground and my favourite site of Cloud Wood LRWT. As usual checking out the rides of the wood I found at least 160 Broad-leaved Helleborines flowering spikes. Like Whisby Var.Viridiflora also occurs at this site and many different versions of the nominate species ranging from the normal range Broad-leaved Helleborines to some that even look like Young's Helleborine (E.youngiana)!!
Var. viridiflora at Cloud Wood LRWT

Another shot of BL Helleborine at Cloud Wood.

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