Greater Butterfly-orchid – Platanthera chlorantha
is a species of orchid in the genus Platanthera. It can be found throughout Europe and Morocco. The name Platanthera is derived from Greek, meaning “broad anthers”, while the species name, chlorantha, means “greenflowered”. Platanthera chlorantha, spike. The Greater Butterfly Orchid is not to be confused with the Lesser Butterfly Orchid, which is about the same size. The Greater Butterfly Orchid is a perennial of medium height. Its leaves are broad, shiny and elliptical, with a large pair at the base, and much smaller, more lanceolate leaves up the stem. The flowers are greenish-white, scented of vanilla, with spreading sepals and petals. The lip of the flower is long, narrow and undivided. The flower has a very long spur. The flowers form a rather loose spike. The pollen masses diverge to touch both sides of the pollinating insect. Flowering in Britain is in June to July, earlier in the south of Europe. The plant is found in woods, open scrub, and grassland including on chalk.