Whatever the texts may tell you, Lesser Butterfly- orchids (Platanthera bifolia) do look very similar to Greater Butterfly-orchids (Platanthera chlorantha). At first sight they seem to grow to about the same height and have similar coloured and shaped flowers. However details like the spur length which is different for the two when growing at roughly the same geographical latitude, distance apart of the broad anthers and pollinators attracted by the different scents of these two orchids, serve to differentiate them but you do need to peer carefully at the reproductive parts of a floret with your magnifying glass to be sure of telling P. bifolia from P. chlorantha.

The Lesser Butterfly-orchid will also grow in a greater range of habitats than the Greater which is more likely to be found in calcareous woodland or open grassland. This one was found growing in a bog not far from which was Drosera rotundifolia (Round-leaved Sundew) and other acid loving species.

P. bifolia is found throughout the British Isles and is commoner in the west than the east. It is also as common in northwestern Scotland as it is in south western England.

The Taxonomic status of both of these Orchids is stable and the Platanthera genus has been unchanged for some time.

Platanthera bifolia Lesser Butterfly-orchid Fen on the Lleyn peninsula, Wales, 18th June 2010 Previous   Next	Platanthera bifolia Lesser Butterfly-orchid Fen on the Lleyn peninsula, Wales, 18th June 2010 Previous   Next
Platanthera bifolia Lesser Butterfly-orchid spike	Platanthera bifolia Lesser Butterfly-orchid floret

Fen on the Lleyn peninsula, Wales, 18th June 2010

Added on 18th June 2010, updated 14th July 2011