Flower Properties

Flower Details

Description

A graceful orchid with spikes of creamy-white flowers, each with long spurs and a sweet, night-time fragrance. Flowers resemble butterflies in flight, giving the plant its name.

Distribution

Native to Europe, including the UK, found in meadows, woodlands, and chalk grasslands. Often an indicator of old, unimproved grassland.

Medicinal/Other Uses

In traditional herbalism, orchid tubers (salep) were used as a source of nourishment and for digestive complaints, though this species specifically was not commonly exploited.

Edibility

Tubers are technically edible and were once used to make "salep" flour in some cultures, but the plant is protected and should not be harvested.

Human Toxicity

Non_Toxic

No toxicity reported. Conservation status should be respected.

Pet Toxicity

Not Toxic

Active Compounds

olysaccharides (glucomannan) in the tubers, flavonoids.