The Burren, Co. Clare. © Patrick Slavin

Lesser Butterfly-orchid Platanthera bifolia Magairlín beag an fhéileacáin Family: Orchidaceae Flowering: June-July. Tuberous perennial. Native. Nght-scented, greenish white flowers, the spur longer than the ovary and the pollinia close together and parallel. The lip is unlobed and narrow linear-oblong. There are two oval-elliptical basal leaves and smaller stem leaves. Height to 30cm. Widespread but decreasing on acidic and calcareous soils in grassland, scrub, dunes, woodland and heaths, acidic bogs and calcareous fens Similar: Greater Butterfly-orchid, P. chlorantha. Pollinia diverging

Lesser Butterfly-orchid, Platanthera bifolia, Magairlín beag an fhéileacáin