Syn.: Serapias rubra L., Epipactis rubra All., Cephalanthera comosa (L.) Simonk.
Family: Orchidaceae Juss.
Distribution: Europe, Northern Africa, Asia Minor, Western Iran.
Ecology: It grows in the shade woods and thickets, on limestone soils, from lowlands to foothills.
Description: A perennial herb with an erect stem, 30–70 cm high. The leaves are lanceolate, 10–14 cm long, inflorescence up to 20 cm long with 2–15 rose to purple, rarely white flowers. Flowers from June to July. The fruit is a capsule.
Threat and Protection: Red Helleborine is a very rare and a strictly protected plant in some countries (CZ, PL, SK), is also protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Photos: 7. 6. a 11. 6. 2003 (Czechia, Moravia, Brno-Kohoutovice).
