From Ireland eastwards to the Balkans and the Crimea. From southern Europe northwards to Scandinavia.
An attractive helleborine with deep puplish-red flowers. Limestone habitats such as limestone pavement and scree; open woodland on limestone. It reaches altitudes of over 2000 metres in more southerly parts of Europe, but occurs down to sea level in western Ireland and Scandinavia.
Top photograph: Dolomites, Italy 1997.
© Paul Hackney
Lower two photographs: The Burren, W Ireland.
© Tom Ennis
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