Narrow-leaf helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia, Oesterr. Bot. Z. 38: 81 (1888))

Family: Orchidaceae

Author: (L.) Fritsch

Bibliography: Oesterr. Bot. Z. 38: 81 (1888)

Year: 1888

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cephalanthera

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe, Medit. to C. China, Taiwan, Japan

Description

Narrow-leaf helleborine, scientifically known as Cephalanthera longifolia, is a captivating perennial orchid belonging to the family Orchidaceae. This elegant plant is distinguished by its slender, elongated leaves and delicate white blooms, which have made it a cherished find for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

The narrow-leaf helleborine boasts a geographical footprint that spans a significant portion of the globe. It can be found thriving in the varied climates of Europe and extends its reach across the Mediterranean regions all the way to Central China. Additionally, it has been observed growing in the diverse ecosystems of Taiwan and Japan, indicating its remarkable adaptability to different environmental conditions.

Cephalanthera longifolia prefers shaded woodlands and calcareous soils, where it often forms symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi, essential for its nutrient uptake. The orchids typically bloom in late spring to early summer, producing clusters of striking white flowers. Each flower, though modest in size, adds to the overall allure of this plant, contributing to the forest’s intricate tapestry of life.

In horticultural contexts, the narrow-leaf helleborine is revered not only for its beauty but also for its ecological significance. It plays a role in supporting local insect populations, providing nectar for a variety of pollinators. Indeed, this orchid stands as a testament to the intricate relationships within natural ecosystems and the importance of preserving these delicate balances.

Documented with precision in the literature, including the significant work by Fritsch in the Oesterreichische Botanische Zeitschrift in 1888, Cephalanthera longifolia continues to be a subject of study for its unique characteristics and its broad geographical distribution. It inspires continued research and conservation efforts to ensure that future generations can witness the subtle elegance of the narrow-leaf helleborine in the wild.

Common Names

Nor: hvit skogfrue, langflangre
Deu: langblaettriges waldvoegelein, langblättriges waldvöglein, schwertblättriges waldvögelein
Dan: sværd-skovlilje
Fra: céphalanthère à feuilles en épée
Lav: garlapu cefalantera
Eng: narrow-leaf helleborine, narrow-leaved helleborine, sword-leaf-helleborine, white lady, long-leaved helleborine
Swe: vit skogslilja, svärdsyssla
Nld: wit bosvogeltje
Cym: caldrist culddail, y galdrist gulddail
En: Narrow-leaf helleborine, Sword-leaf-helleborine, White lady, Narrow-leaved helleborine, Long-Leaved Helleborine, Sword-leaved Helleborine
Ca: Curraià blanc
Cs: Okrotice dlouholistá
Da: Sværd-skovlilje
Nl: Wit bosvogeltje
Fr: Céphalanthère à feuilles en épée, Céphalanthère à feuilles étroites, Céphalanthère à longues feuilles, Céphalanthère à feuilles longues
De: Langblaettriges Waldvoegelein, Langblättriges Waldvöglein, Schwertblättriges Waldvögelein, Langblättriges Waldvögelein
He: סחלבן החורש
It: Cefalantera maggiore, Elleborine bianca
Lv: Garlapu cefalantera
No: Hvit skogfrue, Langflangre
Sk: Prilbovka dlholistá
Sv: Vit skogslilja, Svärdsyssla
Cy: Caldrist Culddail, Y Galdrist Gulddail

Synonyms

• Cephalanthera pallens (Rich.)
• Cephalanthera acuminata (Wall. ex Lindl.)
• Serapias grandiflora (L.)
• Epipactis pallens (Sw.)
• Cephalanthera ensifolia var. acuminata ((Wall. ex Lindl.) Tang & F.T.Wang)
• Cephalanthera alpicola var. shizuoi ((F.Maek.) T.Hashim.)
• Epipactis grandifolia (All.)
• Cephalanthera thomsonii (Rchb.f.)
• Cephalanthera longifolia var. rosea (Perko)
• Cephalanthera mairei (Schltr.)
• Serapias xiphophyllum (Ehrh. ex L.f.)
• Serapias lonchophyllum (L.f.)
• Cephalanthera xiphophyllum var. latifolia (Maire)
• Limodorum acuminatum ((Wall. ex Lindl.) Kuntze)
• Serapias pallida (Wahlenb.)
• Epipactis longifolia var. longibracteata (Harz)
• Cephalanthera longifolia var. pilosa (Harz)
• Serapias ensifolia ((L.f.) Murray)
• Cephalanthera longifolia f. pilosa ((Harz) Soó)
• Epipactis longifolia var. pilosa (Harz)
• Cephalanthera longifolia var. latifolia ((Maire) D.Rivera & Lopez Velez)
• Cephalanthera ensifolia var. maravignae ((Tineo) Nyman)
• Cephalanthera longifolia var. gibbosa (Boiss.)
• Serapias grandiflora subsp. ensifolia ((L.f.) Ehrh.)
• Cephalanthera shizuoi (F.Maek.)
• Cephalanthera ensifolia (Rich.)
• Cephalanthera longifolia f. angustifolia (Maire & Weiller)
• Serapias nivea (Vill.)
• Cephalanthera longifolia subsp. conferta (B.Baumann & H.Baumann)
• Cephalanthera conferta ((B.Baumann & H.Baumann) Kreutz)
• Serapias grandiflora var. ensifolia (L.f.)
• Cephalanthera longifolia f. latifolia ((Maire) Maire & Weiller)
• Epipactis grandiflora ((L.) Sm.)
• Cephalanthera longifolia f. conformis (Suetsugu & H.Hayak.)
• Cymbidium xiphophyllum ((Ehrh. ex L.f.) Sw.)
• Cephalanthera longifolia f. pumila (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Cephalanthera ensifolia var. cesari-gonzalezii (Rivas Goday & Bellot)
• Epipactis pallida (Sw.)
• Cephalanthera longifolia f. longibracteata ((Harz) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Cephalanthera maravignae (Tineo)
• Cephalanthera erecta var. shizuoi ((F.Maek.) Ohwi ex K.Inoue)
• Cephalanthera xiphophyllum (Rchb.f.)
• Cephalanthera elegans (Schltr.)
• Serapias alba ((Crantz) Salisb.)
• Cephalanthera lonchophylla (Rchb.f.)
• Cephalanthera angustifolia (Simonk.)
• Epipactis ensifolia (F.W.Schmidt)
• Cephalanthera grandiflora (Gray)
• Epipactis xiphophylla ((Ehrh. ex L.f.) Sw.)
• Cephalanthera taiwaniana (S.S.Ying)
• Serapias helleborine var. longifolia (L.)
• Cephalanthera alpicola (Fukuy.)
• Epipactis longifolia var. gibbosa ((Boiss.) W.Zimm.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Assam (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nepal (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 15, 2020 by Isabelle Ribaute (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2020 by André Hyvrier (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 15, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2016 by Manuel Ortiz (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.

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

Leaf

Taken May 20, 2021 by Jean-Francois Julien (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2022 by Jean Burger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2018 by claire Felloni (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2021 by Edoardo Fusi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 23, 2021 by Rico García Antonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2019 by Jonathan Montagne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Other

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

Taken May 14, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Emilie Bernard (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2021 by Paola Rocci (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2021 by Nicolas Marti-Vives (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 1, 2022 by Marijk Hoed (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Erik Ketting (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Françoise Peyrissat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Jean-Marie Frenoux (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2795869)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:622389-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cephalanthera longifolia (L.) Fritsch)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’]

Soil nutriments: 4