1885.] NOTES ON BRITISH ORCHIDS. 36J 



C. pallens (White Helleborine). — An ornamental plant from 12 to 18 inches 

 in hei^^ht with a fibrous rootstock as in Epipactis latifulia. Leaves at the 

 base broadly ovate, the uppermost narrower and gradually diminishing to 

 lanceolate bracteas. 



Flowers upright or more correctly sub-erect, large and handsome, of a creamy 

 white colour, and i)roduced in a rather lax raceme. Sepals and petals ovate- 

 oblong. Lip obtuse, shorter than the sepals, and distinctly marked with yellow 

 parallel lines. 



A very ornamental and distinct Helleborine that in May and 

 June produces a rather loose spike of erect yellowish white flowers. 

 It is a native of woods and thickets chiefly in chalky districts, and 

 extends throughout England from Cumberland to Somerset and 

 Kent, though always rare. This genus may at once be distinguished 

 from Einpadis by the flowers, which are always erect, whereas those 

 of Fpijyactis are pendent. There are also several minute technical 

 differences, especially in the lip and bracts, the latter being always 

 longer than the flowers, this being the reverse in JEpijjadis generally. 

 I have on several occasions found this plant in company with 

 Upijjadis latifolia, especially when the latter is growing in a free 

 sandy or stony soil on the limestone formation, but never in 

 quantity. Usually it does not attain to the height of that species, 

 although on several occasions I found specimens over two feet in 

 height, but in the same favoured situations many plants of the 

 Epiimctis had reached a yard in height, thus showing that of the 

 two plants when placed under similar conditions Gcplmlantlicra is 

 the lesser. 



The rootstock of the present species is invariably embedded at a 

 much greater depth in the soil than that of the Epipadis. 



C. ensifolia (Narrow Cephalantlierd). — Stem from 1 to 2 feet in length. Leaves 

 narrow lanceolate, the uppermost tapering to a slender point and resembling 

 those of a reed. Flowers whiter and narrower than those of C. j^M'ins and 

 with the sepals more acute. Lip with a distinct yellowish dash on its upper 

 surface and marked with faint white lines. 



This may best be described as a very narrow-leaved form of the 

 latter, for in stature and colour of flowers both species are almost 

 identical. There is, however, one permanent distinction — the 

 bracts are always shorter than the flowers, whereas in C. ixdlcns 

 they are considerably longer. Like the latter, this is a very 

 ornamental species, but one that is much less seldom seen 

 either in a wild or cultivated state. In a few English and Scotch 

 counties it is frequently met with, extending southwards from 

 Mull and Perth, but it is, like C. pallens, local in its distribution 

 and seems to prefer a chalky or limestone district and well wooded 

 locality. 



Planted in a fernery and allowed to roam at will, we have found 



