Photographs: Ballingeary, Co. Cork

Greater Butterfly-orchid Platanthera chlorantha Magairlín mór an fhéileacáin Family: Orchidaceae Flowering time: June-July. Perennial. Native. Loose spike of white flowers with an undivided strap-shaped lip, long downward curving spur and long leafy bracts. The pollinia (2 yellowish strips below hood) converge at top, 4mm apart at base. Two unspotted, blunt basal leaves. The flowers strongly night-scented. Height to 40cm The pollinia are closer and parallel in Lesser Butterfly-orchid. Well-drained calcareous soils in rough pasture and light woodland. Very occasionally on less-acidic moorland, wet heathy pasture and sand dunes. Most frequent in northern half of Ireland

Greater Butterfly-orchid, Platanthera chlorantha, Magairlín mór anfhéileacáin