Purple helleborine, listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, requires specific natural conditions for its seeds to germinate.
One of Ukraine’s rarest orchids, the purple helleborine, which is protected by the Red Book of Ukraine, has bloomed in Holosiivskyi Forest. This was reported by the National Nature Park “Holosiivskyi,” according to “Glavcom.”
The purple helleborine (Epipactis purpurata) is among the wild orchids of Ukraine that are under protection. A distinctive characteristic of this species is that the eastern boundary of its natural range runs through Ukraine.
The park administration stated that the population discovered within the NNPP “Holosiivskyi” is isolated from the main range, which encompasses the Carpathians and Ternopil Oblast.
This rare forest orchid was first documented in the “Holosiivskyi Forest” tract in 2012. It is presumed that the plant spreads along with oak-hornbeam forests, which are also situated at the extreme eastern limit of their distribution in this area.
Purple helleborine in Holosiivskyi Forest, photo: National Nature Park Holosiivskyi
The purple helleborine can grow up to 70–80 centimeters in height. It is recognizable by its purple stem and flowers, which have greenish-white outer petals and delicate purple inner petals.
Park specialists conduct annual monitoring of this species and observe variations in plant numbers and their habitats. The orchid is most frequently found near forest roads and trails, in areas with a thick layer of fallen leaves and branches where the mycorrhizal fungi necessary for seed germination develop.
The NNPP “Holosiivskyi” emphasizes the importance of not picking the flowers, staying on the paths, and not disturbing the forest soil to preserve the purple helleborine, as the survival of this rare species is contingent upon the integrity of the entire forest ecosystem.
As a reminder, the blooming of one of the most enigmatic species of Polissian orchids, the bird’s-nest orchid, was recorded in the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve. This rare plant leads an exceptionally secretive life and is currently listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.
Incidentally, the hydrangea blooming season is underway in Kyiv, with the flowers currently in their most magnificent phase. Large inflorescences adorn parks, squares, embankments, and other green spaces in the capital. There are mono-gardens in the city where ornamental shrubs are planted in large clusters. Additionally, there is a hydrangea alley over 100 meters long that has been attracting visitors for several years.