E. leptochila was first described from Surrey, England by Godfrey in 1919 and its name refers to the narrow lip (epichile) of the species. The plants common name is quite appropriately and succinctly the
Slender or Narrow Lipped Helleborine.
This is a somewhat controversial species and several colonies (particularly in the Chiltern hills of England) have been the subject of extensive study in an attempt to determine the true status of the plants. Pictures
6 and 7 are examples of one of the study group and depict plants and flowers of obviously differing
appearance and which may yet prove to be hybrids of E. leptochila and E. purpurata, both of which are
present in the area.
Its range is wide and covers much of temperate Europe from southern England, Germany and Denmark, down
to northern Spain and across to the eastern Adriatic. E. leptochila is a rare orchid everywhere but is perhaps at its most frequent in England where it inhabits shady sites amongst leaf litter in beech woods.
The previously mentioned Chiltern hills represent its stronghold but it has been recorded from most of the
counties of England from the Thames valley south.
It often grows in association with both E. purpurata and E. helleborine but can be readily distinguished
from these species by virtue of the lack of any red/purple colouration and also the thin, usually pointed lip (see previous note re photo's 6 and 7).
This species is self pollinating and maintains the synonym E. cleistogama.
