Photographs © John Diggin

Narrow-leaved Helleborine Cephalanthera longifolia Cuaichín caol Family: Orchidaceae Flowering May - June. Perennial. Native. Pure white flowers with a small orange spot on the lip in a loose, leafless spike but most flowers not opening fully. Very small bracts at the tip of the spike but lower bracts can be longer. The strap-shaped, keeled leaves have prominent veins, the upper leaves with pointed tips. Very rare and decreasing in damp woodland and scrub. An endangered, protected species in Ireland and covered by the 2015 Flora Protection Order. Classed as Vulnerable in the 2016 Red Data List

Narrow-leaved Helleborine, Cephalanthera longifolia, Cuaichín caol