Unlike the Lesser Butterfly-orchid which is classified as vulnerable, the Greater Butterfly-orchid is found locally throughout the UK and Ireland although its numbers are in steep decline due to habitat destruction, agricultural pollution and the replacement of ancient woodlands with conifer plantations. Both species flower between late May and early July and can, occasionally, be found flowering together. Superficially the two species are remarkably similar and the easiest way to determine which of the two species you have found is to inspect the pollinia (pollen-bearing structures) at close quarters. In the case of the Lesser Butterfly-orchid the pollinia are parallel, whereas those of the Greater Butterfly-orchid are clearly separated but lean inwards towards the tops. Platanthera chlorantha grows in a number of habitats from open meadows to ancient woodland edges, but generally prefers chalk-based substrates. In Europe the plants can be found from Scandinavia and the Baltic States in the north to the Mediterranean region in the south.

Distribution Map		Key Features
	Records for the Greater Butterfly-orchid from BSBI are shown on the map with most recent in front. (Hover the mouse over the small map to expand it.) CLICK HERE to visit the BSBI website page for updated data and maps with separated data for individual record periods	Plant: 20 to 45cm tall, occasionally to 65cm; stem pale green, somewhat triangular and ribbed towards the top. Leaves: 2 pale green and shiny, oval-to-elliptical situated at the base of the stem. Bracts: 1 to 6 small pointed bracts on the stem. Flowers: Between 10 and 40 held in a lax spike. The nature of the inflorescence is apparently affected by light, with those in more open and sunny positions tending to be more compact. The sepals are white darkening to green at the tips. The upper sepals form a loose hood over the long, narrow lip of the flower, which is mainly cream but greener towards the tip.

Image Gallery for Greater Butterfly-orchid Platanthera chlorantha