Kingdom Plantae Family Orchidaceae Genus Neottia Higher classification Neottia | Order Asparagales Subfamily Epidendroideae Scientific name Neottia cordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Twayblade, Orchids, Eggleaf twayblade, Neottia, Yellow coralroot | ||
Neottia cordata, lesser twayblade or heartleaf twayblade is an orchid of upland bogs and mires that rarely exceeds 15 cm in height. It was formerly placed in the genus Listera, but molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that Neottia nidus-avis, the Bird's-nest Orchid, evolved within the same group.
It is never very common but may be frequently overlooked because of its small size and a tendency to grow underneath heather on sphagnum moss. The single erect flower-stem is often tinged red and is clasped near the base by a pair or ovate-orbicular glossy green leaves. The small flowers which look deceptively simple in structure for an orchid, are purple-green in colour with a somewhat swollen calyx.
Distribution
It has a circumpolar distribution being found in Europe, Asia, Greenland and large parts of North America. In the United Kingdom its distribution is western and northern becoming most common in the western highlands and is also found in Snowdonia and the Lake District. (Codes)
