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Platanthera bifolia [Lesser Butterfly-Orchid]


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Rørslett, B. 2013 Platanthera bifolia (L.)Rich. (Orchidaceae). Lesser Butterfly-Orchid. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...tterfly-orchid/

 

Platanthera bifolia (L.)Rich.

Syn. Habenaria bifolia (L.)R.Br.

NO: Vanleg nattfiol; vanlig nattfiol

SE: Nattviol; nattyxne

DK: Bakke-Gøgelilje

FI: Valkolehdokki

DE: Weiße Waldhyazinthe

EN: Lesser Butterfly-orchid

 

This is a medium tall, to 0.3-0.4m, orchid native to Europe and Western Asia in several races. It occurs on meadows often in forest clearings. In lowland regions it is fairly common on shaded habitats. Flowering occurs in late June or July and the shiny white flowers are sweetly fragrant in night-time. Nectar is profusely produced in long spurs requiring a pollinator with the ability to access this part of the flower, likely night moths or butterflies.

 

Plants photographed at Hvaler, Southern Norway 27 June 2010. Specimens are the nominal race ssp. bifolia.

 

PLAT_BIF_I1006271507_VIS.jpg

Image reference: PLAT_BIF_I1006271507_VIS.jpg

Visible light: Nikon D3S, UV-Nikkor 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Baader UV/IR Cut filter, daylight.

 

PLAT_BIF_I1006275837_UV.jpg

Image reference: :PLAT_BIF_I1006275837_UV.jpg

Ultraviolet light: Nikon D200, UV-Nikkor 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Baader U2" (Venus) filter, daylight.

 

In UV light, a lot of additional details appear. The presence of iridescent areas is striking and add to the signalling effect of these flowers.

 

References:

http://www.ultraviol...ure-references/

 

[Published 24 June 2013]

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