Wild Orchids & Helleborine in France

Wild orchids are present in all regions of France. They are likely to be seen anywhere that the land has been left relatively undisturbed by anything other than surface cutting or seasonal grazing. Often they will be found on roadsides and in gardens that have existed for many generations, although even on land that has been under intensive cultivation they will often appear when the land is left fallow or unmanaged for a relatively short period of time, perhaps as little as 5 or 6 years.  Agriculture has been and continues to be extremely destructive for orchids, both from arable farming or from the use of so called improved pasture for commercial livestock, (sheep, cattle), or for domestic livestock, (horses and ponies). 

Not all the orchids of France are presented here and hybrids have not been considered.