© Micheal G Slattery. The Burren, Co. Clare

Broad-leaved Helleborine Epipactis helleborine Ealabairín Family: Orchidaceae Flowering July - October. Tuberous perennial. Native. Can be variable. Dense spikes of 50-100 wide open flowers, the colour varying from very pale pinkish-green in shade to purplish-red in more open habitats. The leaves are arranged spirally up the stem, lower leaves broadly oval, crinkled and strongly ribbed, the upper stem leaves much narrower. Height 30-120cm. Found in mixed deciduous woodland, hedgerows, limestone pavements, dunes and on roadsides. Widespread but most frequent in the north and west of Ireland.

Broad-leaved Helleborine, Epipactis helleborine, Ealabairín