Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera chlorantha)

Found throughout the country, so long as the soil is calcareous. Its tall and robust flowering stem makes the plant easy to spot amongst the surrounding vegetation. The only orchid it is likely to be confused with is the Lesser Butterfly Orchid; the distinguishing feature being the pollen anther sacs – which on the Greater Butterfly Orchid are held on an inverted horseshoe shaped structure (see yellow pads on the close-up images below) whereas on the Lesser Butterfly Orchid they lie parallel and close together.