Central and northern Europe. From southern England eastwards to the Balkans and Russia; Portugal northwards to Germany.
An attractive helleborine with narrower leaves than the somewhat similar Epipactis helleborine, and these leaves are also often suffused with violet (which gives it its English name). The lip is also similar to that of E. helleborine but is pale pink in colour. In woodland on chalk or limestone.
A form lacking chlorophyll is frequent.
Photographs: Black Forest, Germany, 2000.
© Alan Hill
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