HABENA'RIA CHLORAN'THA. 
GREAT BUTTERFLY ORCHIS. 
Class. Order. 
GYNANDRIA. MONANDRIA. 
Natural Order. 
ORCHIDACEiE. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Inhabits 
England. 
18 inches. 
June, July. 
Perennial. 
Woods. 
No. 1036. 
Habenaria is a name which was adopted by 
Robert Brown, from the Greek habena, a leather 
strap; in allusion to the long spur of the flower. 
The two British species, Habenaria chlorantha, 
and Habenaria bifolia, have, till lately, been con- 
founded by British botanists, and regarded as one 
species only, under the name bifolia ; whilst, by 
continental botanists, they have been clearly dis- 
tinguished. The fact is, according to Mr. Babing- 
ton, that the plant commonly met wdth in England, 
is chlorantha ; bifolia being comparatively scarce. 
The last mentioned species is smaller, flowers 
earlier, and is chiefly found in chalk or limestone 
districts; whilst chlorantha inhabits copses, and 
marshy clay soils. 
The native orchids may be successfully grown in 
a mixture of loam, peat, and sand ; with charcoal 
sufficient to keep the soil free and open. They are 
best kept in pots, that they may be protected from 
too much moisture whilst in a dormant state, and 
also for protection from spring frosts. The soil 
should be renewed every spring, just as the plants 
make their appearance. 
