Lesser butterfly-orchid (Platanthera bifolia, De Orchid. Eur.: 35 (1817))

Family: Orchidaceae

Author: Rich. (L.)

Bibliography: De Orchid. Eur.: 35 (1817)

Year: 1817

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Platanthera

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe, Medit. to Mongolia

Description

The Lesser Butterfly-orchid, scientifically known as Platanthera bifolia, is a captivating member of the Orchidaceae family, displaying a delicate and enchanting beauty. This elegant orchid finds its origins across a wide geographical range, from the temperate landscapes of Europe and the Mediterranean region all the way to the vast, varied terrains of Mongolia.

First described in literature in “De Orchid. Eur.” in 1817 by Rich. (L.), this perennial plant has captured the interest and admiration of botanists and nature enthusiasts alike. Platanthera bifolia thrives in a variety of habitats, often favoring moist, shaded environments such as grasslands, meadows, and open woodlands, where it can receive dappled sunlight.

The distinguishing feature of the Lesser Butterfly-orchid is its mesmerizing flowers. Each slender stem of the plant supports small, pristine white blooms that are intricately structured, reminiscent of delicate butterflies in flight. The flowers exhibit a unique mechanism where the pollinia are situated parallel to the stigmatic surface, facilitating a specific and effective pollination strategy often carried out by moths.

These orchids typically bloom between May and July, releasing a sweet, enticing fragrance during the evening and nighttime, which serves to attract their nocturnal pollinators. The scent is considered one of the key factors in its reproductive success, ensuring that the flowers are visited by the right species.

Despite its alluring appeal, the Lesser Butterfly-orchid is often considered a species of conservation concern in various regions due to habitat loss and changes in land use. Conservation efforts focus on preserving its natural habitats and mitigating the impacts of agricultural expansion and urban development.

The Lesser Butterfly-orchid stands as a testament to the intricate and delicate balance of ecosystems, embodying the subtle elegance and complexity of the natural world. Its presence amplifies the need for continued conservation and respect for native flora and their habitats.

Common Names

Dan: bakke-gøgelilje
Deu: weiße waldhyazinthe, weiße waldhyazinthe (i. e. s.), zweiblaettriges breitkoelbchen, zweiblättrige waldhyazinthe
Nor: huvendel, natfioler, rams, valmosøster
Eng: lesser butterfly-orchid, lesser butterfly orchid
Nno: nattfiol
Nob: nattfiol
Swe: nattviol, valkolehdokki, nattyxne
Fra: platanthère à deux feuilles
Lav: smarziga naktsvijole
Fin: valkolehdokki
Nld: welriekende nachtorchis
Sme: idjalieksi
Cym: baladr dwyddeiliog, tegeirian glöyn byw lleiaf, tegeirian llydanwyrdd bach
Gla: magairlean beag nan dealan, magairleanan beaga nan dealan
En: Lesser butterfly-orchid, Lesser Butterfly Orchid, Butterfly Orchid
Az: Qoşayarpaq platantera
Be: Чараўнік двухлісты
Bg: Двулистна платантера
Ca: Platantera bifòlia
Zh: 細距舌唇蘭, 细距舌唇兰
Kw: Tegeyryan diwdhelen
Hr: Mirisavi dvolist
Cs: Vemeník dvoulistý
Da: Bakke-Gøgelilje
Nl: Welriekende nachtorchis
Et: Kahelehine käokeel
Fi: Valkolehdokki
Fr: Platanthère à deux feuilles, Orchis à deux feuilles, Platanthère à fleurs blanches
De: Zweiblättrige Waldhyazinthe, Weiße Waldhyazinthe, Weiße Waldhyazinthe (i. e. S.), Zweiblaettriges Breitkoelbchen, Weißes Breitkölbchen, Zweiblättriges Breitkölbchen
Hu: Fehér sarkvirág
Ga: Magairlín beag an fhéileacáin
It: Platantera comune
Lv: Smaržīgā naktsvijole, Smarziga naktsvijole
Lt: Dvilapė blandis
Se: Idjalieksi
No: Nattfiol, Huvendel, Natfioler, Rams, Valmosøster
Nb: Nattfiol
Nn: Nattfiol
Os: Тæфсæджы хос
Fa: سنبل جنگلی دوبرگ
Pl: Podkolan biały
Ru: Двулистная любка
Gd: Magairlean beag nan dealan, Magairleanan beaga nan dealan
Sk: Vemenník dvojlistý
Es: Dvolistni vimenjak, Satirión blanco de dos hojas
Sv: Nattviol, Valkolehdokki, Nattyxne
Zh-tw: 細距舌唇蘭
Zh-hant: 細距舌唇蘭
Tr: Guguk salebi
Uk: Любка дволиста
Cy: Tegeirian llydanwyrdd bach, Baladr Dwyddeiliog, Tegeirian Glöyn Byw Lleiaf
: Lesser butterfly orchid

Synonyms

• Lysias bifolia ((L.) Salisb.)
• Platanthera bifolia f. anomala (Neuman)
• Gymnadenia bifolia ((L.) G.Mey.)
• Orchis sthenanthera (E.H.L.Krause)
• Orchis alba (Lam.)
• Sieberia bifolia ((L.) Spreng.)
• Orchis bifolia (L.)
• Habenaria bifolia ((L.) R.Br.)
• Conopsidium sthenantherum (Wallr.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chita (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 15, 2019 by Marie-Claude Deboin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2019 by Marie-Claude Deboin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2020 by Mathieu VALENTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2020 by Mathieu VALENTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2019 by Sperling Dominik (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 2, 2021 by hélène thomas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2022 by Benoist Schaal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Bénédicte OUDART (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2018 by fayot (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2020 by Quentin Mervelay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2020 by Mathieu VALENTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2019 by Marie-Claude Deboin (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 15, 2019 by Lucien MARTY (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2018 by bas yves (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 29, 2014 by Tela Botanica − calceolus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 31, 1874 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Fruit

Taken Jul 31, 2022 by Vitalii🌺Suprun (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 13, 2022 by Kurt Winter (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2021 by TK14 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/9213153)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:651671-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Platanthera bifolia (L.) Rich.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Soil nutriments: 3