Syn.: Serapias grandiflora L., Serapias helleborine var. longifolia L., Serapias nivea Vill., Epipactis grandifolia All., Epipactis ensifolia F. W. Schmidt, Limodorum longifolium (L.) Kuntze, Cephalanthera ensifolia (Sw.) L. C. Richard
Family: Orchidaceae Juss.
Distribution: Europe – from Ireland across Central Europe, Mediterranean, Asia Minor, Caucasus to Western and Central Asia.
Ecology: It grows in deciduous woods and thickets, from lowlands to foothills.
Description: A perennial herb with an erect stem, 20–45 cm high. The leaves (7–10) are lanceolate, sword-shaped, minimally five times longer than wide. The flowers 5–12 in a loose spike, white, flowers from May to June.
Threat and Protection: Swordleaf Helleborine is a strictly protected plant in some countries (BY, CZ, LV, LT, PL, RU, SK, UA). The species is simultaneously protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Photos: 11. 6. 2004 (Czechia, Bílé Karpaty, Čertoryje).
