Epipactis palustris

One of the prettiest and ,when in bloom ,showiest Epipactis orchids . In order to present itself ''full feather '',it needs to grow in an unshaded environment with a high level of ground water .It is the only European orchid able to survive an extended period even in completely flooded bioteps ! Mature specimens are only a little dependent on mycorrhiza and can thus be relatively esily replanted and cultivated .

The wintering organ of the plant is a trailing rhizome covered with little protrusions .In the spring ,its apical buds give rise to robust ,12-20 in /30-50 cm tall stems bearing 4-8 elongated lanceolate ,short ,clasping leaves that are smaller smaller ,the higher on the plant they are positioned .The inflorescence is nutant at first ,but later it straightens .The flower raceme consists of 8-30 brown and white flowers . The pointed tepals are brown and red with a tinge of green or of white .The lip is markedly divided into a flat, bowl-shaped ,whitsh ,dark veined hypochile,and a wavy ,fan-shaped ,pure white epichile.The species blooms between June and August and is native to Europe and Asia Minor.