Epipactis lusitanica

The status of this orchid as a full species is not widely accepted, with many authorities preferring the
view that it is simply a variety of E. tremolsii. It is an extremely variable orchid that can arise in a range of colouration, size and appearance and consequently imitate other species. Due to its limited distribution in southern Portugal and south west Spain this propensity for imitation can really only create identification difficulties with one other species, E. tremolsii. This does however occur and where the two species grow together on acidic substrates they can be very difficult to separate.

E. lusitanica is normally a less robust plant, growing no higher than 50cms, with fewer leaves and paler colouration. The flowers themselves however, are morphologically very similar and exhibit no convincing feature by which to separate the two taxons. It is thought that this orchid along with the other members of the group, developed from a common ancestor, perhaps E. helleborine or E. atrorubens as adaptations to an increasingly xeric environment.

E. lusitanica is an orchid restricted to acid soils, where as with many other Epipactis species it prefers a
shady position in woodland clearings and edges.

The photographs come from the Algarve and date from the middle of April.

E. lusitanica was first described by D. Tyteca from the Algarve, Portugal in 1988 and its name literally means " from Portugal ". It is a member of the small E. tremolsii group, all of which are characterized by strongly hirsute stems and short, broad leaves which tend to be clustered towards the base of the stem. The status of this orchid as a full species is not widely accepted, with many authorities preferring the view that it is simply a variety of E. tremolsii. It is an extremely variable orchid that can arise in a range of colouration, size and appearance and consequently imitate other species. Due to its limited distribution in southern Portugal and south west Spain this propensity for imitation can really only create identification difficulties with one other species, E. tremolsii. This does however occur and where the two species grow together on acidic substrates they can be very difficult to separate. E. lusitanica is normally a less robust plant, growing no higher than 50cms, with fewer leaves and paler colouration. The flowers themselves however, are morphologically very similar and exhibit no convincing feature by which to separate the two taxons. It is thought that this orchid along with the other members of the group, developed from a common ancestor, perhaps E. helleborine or E. atrorubens as adaptations to an increasingly xeric environment. E. lusitanica is an orchid restricted to acid soils, where as with many other Epipactis species it prefers a shady position in woodland clearings and edges. The photographs come from the Algarve and date from the middle of April.