Cephalanthera damasonium

White helleborine

Photographed Oxfordshire, 25 May 2005

Image number 250505cepdam2.

This species is known to obtain carbon and nitrogen from trees via ectomycorrhizal fungi, even though it normally has both leaves and chlorophyll. These flowers rarely open and are often pollinated by insects before they open. A few specimens are known that do not have any chlorophyll.