Hybridises with : Violet Helleborine (Epipactis purpurata) to produce Epipactis × schulzei.

Some similarities to : Marsh Helleborine but that is much shorter.

There are several varieties:

• Young's Helleborine (Epipactis Helleborine var. youngiana) but no convincing case can be made for this; it all falls within the wide variability of Broad-leaved Heleborine.
• Dutch Helleborine (Epipactis Helleborine var. neerlandica) which is rather short, between 15-40cm high, and with short, stiff, more round leaves which are held nearly erect near the base of the stem which they sheath.
• (Epipactis Helleborine var. youngiana) [also known as var. albifolia] is devoid of chlorophyll and therefore lacks green; the bulk is pale-pink to straw in colour and the flowers white or rosy. Very rare.
• (Epipactis Helleborine var. viridifolia) is devoid of anthocyanins and has pale-green flowers with a whitish-green lip and lacking in any red, purple or pink coloration. Rare.

Uniquely identifiable characteristics

Distinguishing Feature : The purplish wash on the thin part of the flower stalk as it joins the main stem.

No relation to : Hellebores [plants with similar name which belong to the Buttercup Family [Ranunculaceae].

This Helleborine is generally the most common of the Helleborines. It grows to 80cm in woods and other shady places. Flowers, greenish-yellow to pinkish-purple, are solitary atop single stems. The leaves, which are sometimes tinged purplish, are broad, half-clasp the stem, and are at intervals spiralling up the stem.

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