Categories: Orchidaceae

Lesser twayblade (Neottia cordata, De Orchid. Eur.: 37 (1817))

Family: Orchidaceae

Author: (L.) Rich.

Bibliography: De Orchid. Eur.: 37 (1817)

Year: 1817

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Neottia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. & Subarctic Northern Hemisphere

Description

Lesser twayblade, scientifically known as Neottia cordata, is an intriguing and delicate member of the Orchidaceae family. Described in the early 19th century in “De Orchid. Eur.” in 1817 by the author (L.) Rich., this plant has captured the fascination of botanists and nature enthusiasts alike for centuries.

Characterized by its modest size and subtle beauty, Neottia cordata can be found in the temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It thrives in these cooler climates, where it graces the undergrowth of forests and moist, shaded woodlands. Lesser twayblade’s preference for such environments underscores its adaptability and resilience in a range of ecological niches, often carpeting the forest floor with its delicate presence.

The plant’s structure is captivating—typically sporting two heart-shaped basal leaves, which give the plant its name “cordata,” meaning heart-shaped in Latin. From these basal leaves emerges a slender stalk adorned with small, greenish-pink flowers that are often overlooked due to their diminutive and unobtrusive nature. Nonetheless, upon closer inspection, these flowers reveal intricate details reminiscent of the complexity and elegance associated with the Orchidaceae family.

Lesser twayblade plays a vital role within its ecosystem, providing aesthetic value and contributing to the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits. As with many orchids, Lesser twayblade engages in a symbiotic relationship with fungi in the soil, which is essential for the plant’s nutrient acquisition and growth. This relationship highlights the intricate web of interactions that sustain ecological communities and the importance of conservation efforts to protect threatened habitats.

In summary, Lesser twayblade (Neottia cordata) is a small yet significant orchid native to the more temperate and subarctic zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Its humble appearance belies a complex and fascinating biological profile, encapsulating the delicate interplay between plant, fungi, and environment. This species invites appreciation not only for its botanical interest but also for the subtle beauty it adds to the rich tapestry of the forest floor.

Common Names

Eng: heartleaf twayblade, heart-leaved twayblade, lesser twayblade, western heart-leaved twayblade
Dan: hjertebladet fliglæbe
Nld: kleine keverorchis
Sme: heartapárra
Fra: listère cordée, listére en coeur, listère en coeur, listère à feuilles cordées, listère à feuilles en coeur
Swe: spindelblomster, hjärtyxne
Cym: caineirian bach, caineirianau bach, ceineirian bach, ceneirian bach
En: Lesser Twayblade, Heart-Leaf Twayblade, Heartleaf twayblade, Lesser Twayblade Listera, Heart-leaved twayblade, Western heart-leaved twayblade
Be: Тайнік сэрцападобны
Ca: Listera cordifòlia
Hr: Srcoliki čopotac
Cs: Bradáček srdčitý
Da: Hjertebladet Fliglæbe
Nl: Kleine keverorchis
Et: Väike käopõll
Fi: Herttakaksikko
Fr: Listère cordée, Listère en forme de Coeur, Listére en coeur, Listère en coeur, Listère à feuilles cordées, Listère à feuilles en coeur
De: Herz-Zweiblatt, Herzblättrige Listere, Kleines Zweiblatt, Moor-Zweiblatt
Is: Hjartatvíblaðka
It: Listera minore
Lv: Sirdsveida divlape
Lt: Širdinė dviguonė, Sirdine dviguone
Se: Heartapárra
No: Småtviblad
Pl: Listera sercowata
Ru: Тайник сердцевидный
Sv: Spindelblomster, Hjärtyxne
Uk: Зозулині сльози серцелисті
Cy: Caineirian bach, Caineirianau Bach, Ceineirian Bach, Ceneirian Bach
: Lesser twayblade

Synonyms

Listera cordata f. variegata (P.M.Br.)
Listera cordata ((L.) R.Br.)
Diphryllum cordatum ((L.) Kuntze)
Listera cordata var. japonica (H.Hara)
Epipactis cordata ((L.) All.)
Serapias cordata ((L.) Steud.)
Listera cordata f. viridens (P.M.Br.)
Ophrys nephrophylla ((Rydb.) Rydb.)
Neottia nephrophylla ((Rydb.) Szlach.)
Listera cordata var. chlorantha (Beauverd)
Listera cordata f. disjuncta (Lepage)
Listera cordata f. tetraphylla (Lavoie)
Listera cordata f. pallida (C.G.H.Thed.)
Helleborine cordata ((L.) F.W.Schmidt)
Neottia cordata f. rubescens ((P.M.Br.) P.M.Br.)
Pollinirhiza cordata ((L.) Dulac)
Listera cordata f. trifolia (P.M.Br.)
Listera cordata subsp. nephrophylla ((Rydb.) Á.Löve & D.Löve)
Distomaea cordata ((L.) Spenn.)
Listera cordata var. nephrophylla ((Rydb.) Hultén)
Ophrys cordata (L.)
Listera cordata f. rubescens (P.M.Br.)
Listera nephrophylla (Rydb.)
Listera cordata subsp. japonica ((H.Hara) F.Maek.)
Cymbidium cordatum ((L.) Londes)

Distribution

Alaska (native)
Alberta (native)
Aleutian Is. (native)
Altay (native)
Amur (native)
Austria (native)
Baltic States (native)
Belarus (native)
Belgium (native)
British Columbia (native)
Bulgaria (native)
Buryatiya (native)
California (native)
Central European Rus (native)
Colorado (native)
Connecticut (native)
Czechoslovakia (native)
Denmark (native)
District of Columbia (native)
East European Russia (native)
Finland (native)
France (native)
Føroyar (native)
Germany (native)
Great Britain (native)
Greece (native)
Greenland (native)
Iceland (native)
Idaho (native)
Ireland (native)
Irkutsk (native)
Italy (native)
Japan (native)
Kamchatka (native)
Khabarovsk (native)
Krasnoyarsk (native)
Kuril Is. (native)
Labrador (native)
Magadan (native)
Maine (native)
Manitoba (native)
Maryland (native)
Masachusettes (native)
Michigan (native)
Minnesota (native)
Montana (native)
Netherlands (native)
New Brunswick (native)
New Hampshire (native)
New Jersey (native)
New Mexico (native)
New York (native)
Newfoundland (native)
North Carolina (native)
North Caucasus (native)
North European Russi (native)
Northwest European R (native)
Norway (native)
Nova Scotia (native)
Nunavut (native)
Ohio (native)
Ontario (native)
Oregon (native)
Pennsylvania (native)
Poland (native)
Primorye (native)
Prince Edward I. (native)
Québec (native)
Rhode I. (native)
Romania (native)
Sakhalin (native)
Saskatchewan (native)
Spain (native)
Sweden (native)
Switzerland (native)
Transcaucasus (native)
Turkey (native)
Ukraine (native)
Vermont (native)
Virginia (native)
Washington (native)
West Siberia (native)
West Virginia (native)
Wisconsin (native)
Wyoming (native)
Yakutskiya (native)
Yugoslavia (native)
Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Philippe THOMAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2017 by Marcel Ambühl (cc-by-sa)

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

Leaf

Taken May 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 24, 2022 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2019 by Philippe de Spoelberch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

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