Sunday 25 July 2010

Helleborines in the Missenden area
















Here are a few photographs of various Helleborines at a site near Princes Risborough taken this weekend. The Narrow-lipped Helleborines are an enigma, much studied and written about as they show characteristic's of Broad-leaved Helleborine, such as the shape of the lip (broader) and the fact that they are cross-pollinating (allogamous). Suggestions are that they are hybrids, a new variety of Narrow-lipped Helleborine or a variety of Broad-lipped Helleborine. I have named the photographs Narrow-lips for now. Currently their identity is unproven (see top three images).

There are also around 20 Violet Helleborine at the site, currently still in bud - see photo. Also gone over White Helleborines making 4 species together (Charlie Jackson)

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