Lesser Butterfly-orchid
Platanthera bifolia
Months
Season
Colour
Habitat
Status
How to Identify Lesser Butterfly-orchid
| Annual/Perennial/Biennial | Spring/Summer |
| Height | 15-30cm |
| Flower type | Bifolia |
| Leaves | 2 at the bottom of the stem |
How to Spot Lesser Butterfly-orchid?
The best time to see the Lesser Butterfly-orchid is spring into summertime with June to July being the peak flowering time.
Where to Spot Lesser Butterfly-orchid?
The Lesser Butterfly-orchid is a sweet-smelling plant, which grows across the UK. It can be found in a range of habitats, such as grasslands, meadows, bogs, woodlands, calcareous fens, and scrub, although it may be difficult to spot as it has declined in recent years.
Unfortunately, the Lesser Butterfly-orchid has been lost from much of its habitat in the UK, and is now endangered. One of the reasons for this decline is an increased use in agricultural chemicals which eradicate the soil fungi necessary for the plant to survive.
Carolyn Thomas MS, is currently working with us as a Species Champion to raise awareness of Lesser Butterfly-orchid and its causes of decline.
Find out more about Species and Nature Champions here.
Facts about Lesser Butterfly-orchid
- Old folklore compares Lesser Butterfly-orchids to angels due to their colour, shape, sweet smell, and the way they shine in the twilight during the summer months.
- The elephant hawk moth is the primary pollinator of the Lesser Butterfly-orchid.
- These orchids have been used in traditional medicinal practices for gastro-intestinal soothing.
