Here below I am happy to show some of my photographs of a yellow/green atrorubens or a varietal form of Dark-red Helleborine which some of us are happy to call by the varietal name of "pallens".
The plant on the right in the next photo shows a typical example of a plant that lacks pigmentation in comparison to the regular atrorubens seen here in the left photo. Does the lack of pigmentation (or holds deficiency) make it more or less special than the one on the left. Well I guess this is purely down to the individual. For me both plants are special, but yes the pallens is even more special, simply because the variation is so rare. You may say how rare! Well so far on record in any given year, we only have perhaps some 15 examples of the pallens (or the light form) in the whole of England (possibly the whole of the UK). However I am inclined to believe than many many more are going unaccounted for.
Some struggle with varietal names, but until the sciences can prove any better definitives references I need a suitable referral name of which in this case can be (for me) "pallens", which helps me immediately to identify just to what we are referring to, without having to go any further.
Another way to express a form or a variety would be to call it the "light form". And by using the appropriate light and dark forms you could get around things in a way, yet doing this could create confusion when discussing certain varieties of for example: Epipactis helleborine.
"PALLENS IS GOOD"
The photos above show two Epipactis atrorubens which we have on Hutton Roof. The one on the left is what you call the regular or the "Classic" E. atrorubens, yet the one on the right is a variety of atrorubens which clearly shows differences of pigmentation. These we call "pallens" or light forms.
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Collage made up of "pallens" specimens which we have on Hutton Roof (Click over to enlarge)
Top: Pallens 1 and Pallens 2, Middle Lutescens/Pallens 3, Pallens 4, Pallens 5 Bottom: Pallens 6 and Pallens 7 (2 photos)
Top: Pallens 1 and Pallens 2, Middle Lutescens/Pallens 3, Pallens 4, Pallens 5 Bottom: Pallens 6 and Pallens 7 (2 photos)
Colour definitions for Epipactis atrorubens var ‘pallens’ found on Hutton Roof in Cumbria. Obviously there will be slight variations within the specimens.
Outer Sepals
The outer sepals are of a main light green/lemony colour and just slightly darker than the petal, this slightly darker is mainly caused by the lightest of a red wash over the green, but still the green appears the dominant colour rather than the red wash.
Outer Petals
The petal can only be described as lemon or a pallid yellow in colour throughout without any other influence
Inner Sepals
The sepals continue to show a light lemony/green but will more than likely (but not always the case) be dappled with red spots or smudges which are easily noticeable, especially in the lower sepals. This association of red is put down to a ‘ruben’ influence.
Inner Petals
The petal continue to show a lemon or pallid yellow in colour but will more than likely (but not always the case) be dappled with red spots or smudges which are easily noticeable. This association of red is the ‘ruben’ influence.
Hypochile
The Hyperchile both inner and outer is lemon in colour without any staining or other influences.
Epichile
The Epichile is cream but sometimes with a patchy lemon staining, and this may or may not be dappled with small red spots and smudges throughout.
Boss
The two bosses are usually a cream colour which may or may not be dappled with red spots and smudges throughout.
Ovary
Is ridged and usually light green in colour or sometimes browny/reddish or browny/green, slightly hairy with a look resembling being frosty.
Stem
The stem is usually light green and variable, and slightly hairy with a look resembling being frosty.
Just to give you an idea of the contrast amongst
pallens here I show three variations in colour
which we have on Hutton Roof
eg: 1 left) Pallens - strong brilliant yellow with or without red
2 top right) Pallens - Green looking with pale dirty yellow and (red)
3 bottom right) Pallens - Insipid looking extremely pallid
Really good stem 'variant' examples
pallens here I show three variations in colour
which we have on Hutton Roof
eg: 1 left) Pallens - strong brilliant yellow with or without red
2 top right) Pallens - Green looking with pale dirty yellow and (red)
3 bottom right) Pallens - Insipid looking extremely pallid
Really good stem 'variant' examples
The recorded "Pallens of Hutton Roof" together with their histories are photographed and recorded below:
I guess here with the atrorubens "pallens" (or light forms) that we do have something really special which can be seen on Hutton Roof (Cumbria) in most years. Besides Hutton Roof the rare pallens have been recorded elsewhere in Cumbria, with the first light form being recorded on Helsington Barrows (by Alan Gendle back in 2008).
Throughout Hutton Roof with over (100 hectares in total), I cannot say I have found the pallens (or light forms) widespread, and I have only found them within a small 400 yard diameter section of one localised area within Hutton Roof complex.
Although all of the Hutton Roof "pallens (or light forms)" do have visual similarities, there are also many individual differences in particular to the depths of colour eg: greens, lemon and mottled red. There are no two plants the same.
Obviously that tells you that each plant needs to be treated as a separate entity or given its own varietal name/number from the pallens umbrella, so for now I have given them separate entity with numbers eg: Pallens, 1,2,3,4,4a,5,5a,6,7,8,9.....
2019 Summary - Pallens 1 (no show this year),2 (OK) ,3 (abort through ants undermining), 4 (OK), 4a (OK),5 (OK), 5a (OK), 6 (OK), 7 (OK), 8 (OK), 9 (OK). (9 positive in total with 2 failed)
2020 Summary - Pallens 1 (showed but bitten off early on) 2 (OK), 3 (OK) 3a NEW (OK), 4 (came through OK and bitten off before flower) 4a only came through as seedling, 5 (never showed) 5a (never showed) 6, (never showed), 7 - Miel (came through but tangled with grass early on which broke stem etc), 8 (never showed) 9 (seedling only) (Only 3 successful this year and 9 failed)
2020 Summary - Pallens 1 (showed but bitten off early on) 2 (OK), 3 (OK) 3a NEW (OK), 4 (came through OK and bitten off before flower) 4a only came through as seedling, 5 (never showed) 5a (never showed) 6, (never showed), 7 - Miel (came through but tangled with grass early on which broke stem etc), 8 (never showed) 9 (seedling only) (Only 3 successful this year and 9 failed)
2021 Summary Pallens 1 (no show), 2 (no show), 3 (all ok), 4 (no show) 4a (no show) 5 (no show) 5a (no show) 6 (no show) 7 (Miel) (all ok) 8 (all ok very weak), 9 (insipid - all ok), 10 (no show). (Only 4 successful this year and 8 failed)
2022 Summary- Pallens 1 (no show); 2 (OK); 3 (OK); 3a (OK); 4 (OK); 4a (OK); 5 (OK); 5a (no show); 6 (no show); 7 (OK); 8 (OK); 9 (insipid- did not reach inflorescence); 10 (did not reach inflorescence); 11 exact location checked but no show.
(8 successful this year)
Plus: two new pallens specimens found in study area (one in the '9s' area and one in the 55s).
2023 Summary Pallens 1 no show; 2 did not reach inflorescence); 3 severe dehydration- did not reach inflorescence; 4 taken down; 5 no show; 6 no show; 7 no show; 8 OK; 9 no show; 10 no show; 11; no show; 12 nipped; 13 OK; 14 New 2023.
(3 successful and one new specimen recorded)
2024 Summary- Pallens 1 no show; 2 did not reach inflorescence; 3 OK; 3a no show; 4 OK; 4a no show; 5 OK but frail; 5a did not reach inflorescence; 6 no show; 7 did not reach infloresence; 8 taken down prior to inflorescence; 9 did not reach inflorescence; 10 did not reach inflorescence; 11 no show; 12 OK; 13 did not reach inflorescence; 14 no show; 15 Newly recorded in 2024, pallens in another area of the fell.
Five flowering plants in total.
Pallens No.1
found in the "9s" designated area in July 2014
The following plant was found by Alan Gendle and Bryan Yorke on Hutton Roof in July 2014 and from the next two photos below you can see just how green looking it is:
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| Our very first "Pallens" Variety - found on Hutton Roof by Alan Gendle and Bryan Yorke in 2014 Click over photo to enlarge |
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| Another photo of the first Pallens Variety found on Hutton Roof by Alan Gendle and Bryan Yorke in 2014 - This plant does show some "red" specking on both the frilly bosses and also the undersides of the petals |
2015 update
The plant came through again in 2015 but sadly the plant did not make it because of deer predation before maturity.
2016 updateBelow I have taken a photo of how it was in 2016 (see photo below).
The 2016 Plant stands at about 10" high and we have had it secured in a wire cage surround for the past two years. Here is a photo showing the same plant in 2016.
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| Pallens No.1 in 2016 - Click over to enlarge |
I notice this year the plant has come through with more "purple" showing, you can see this in particular to the ovaries and mixed in within the sepals.
2017 update
Sadly the same plant Pallans No.1 did not survive to full maturity in 2017, although the plant did reach almost mature growth and showed a flowerhead and was just days before opening up when it actually keeled over and it was suspected that the plant had been attacked directly in its root stock by some unknown predator eg: slug or otherwise, but no confirmation of what had caused it could be resolved.
2018 update
The plant was not seen or recorded
2019 update
The plant was not seen or recorded
2020 update
The plant came through but sadly the inflorescence was taken down before flowering.
2021 update
The plant never showed
2022 update
Not seen or recorded
2023 update
Not seen or recorded
2024 update
Not seen or recorded
Pallens No.2 (originally called 9a and derives from parentage No.9)
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| No.9a variety 'Pallens' which is a very light plant (Click over to enlarge) A photo from 8th July 2017. |
2015, 2016, 2017,2018,2019,2020, 2021 no show, but with us again for 2022 - 9a (Pallens No.2)
This is a well established plant and was first recorded in 2015 and came through a little darker than shown in the above photo but still very light in colour. It was also a very weak and fragile specimen and had several kinks within its build. In both 2016 and again this year (2017) the plant has gone from strength to strenth. The plant however still retains a kink just above half way up. The plant is about 13" high and usually has between 17 and 21 flowers.
The next photo (below) shows a more close up of the plant which is clear to have lemon coloured sepals, yet very light washed pink on its yellow petals. Also the rib of the petals and sepals is not showing any red pronounced line like you come to expect with (Lemon Petalled or Lempets). The underside of the petals does show some pink blotch and spot staining which you can associate clearly with the Pallens variety. Also of note is the very light (but NOT white) epichile, whilst the large ragged bosses do have a red flush to them. Another interesting fact of these plants can be the light green ovaries. For now I have linked this specimen to a number 9 in ancestry although that would need dna investigation to confer. The geographical of this plant is approx 14ft away from that 9 ancestry plant which no longer is with us.
2018 - 9a (Pallens No.2)
Came through as usual and was at it's regular height, but just about the time the buds were due to open the plant was predated and its plume went missing. Culprit Roe Deer had delicately taken it through the segments of the cage.
2019 - 9a (Pallens No.2)
Specimen No.9a which has come up every year since my first observations on it in 2015 although last year unfortunately it was taken down by predation. It has always shown as a very pallid form and is in the good company of the No.9 population in which there are several in that same area which may take on this rather special pallid form.
2020 - 9a (Pallens No.2)
Pallens No.2 has come through again all OK and done well.
2020 - 9a (Pallens No.2)
Pallens No.2 has come through again all OK and done well.
2021 -9a (Pallens No.2)
This year it just never showed, although the regularly atrorubens next to it came through without problem.
Specimen No.9a Epipactis atrorubens var: pallens (click over to enlarge)
Photo: taken at Hutton Roof on 17th July 2015
Specimen No.9a Epipactis atrorubens var: pallens (click over to enlarge)
Photo: taken at Hutton Roof on 8th July 2017
Specimen No.9a Epipactis atrorubens var: pallens (click over to enlarge)
Photo: taken at Hutton Roof on 15th June 2019
Specimen No.9a Epipactis atrorubens var: pallens (click over to enlarge)
Photo: taken at Hutton Roof on 15th June 2019
More 2019 Pallens No.2 notes:
Now then what is so interesting about this particular plant is that it shows no red in the base stem or basal leaf, which is so unusual, although sometimes the flowers on this specimen can show more red than usual.
Generally I have found that in all pallen forms it is usual to get some sort of atrorubens (red) influence somewhere on the plant and in 99 times out of one hundred it would show in the base stem and basal leaf or at the sheaths along the lower stem, but here we have a exception to the rule, which makes it so much more interesting for the study.
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens (Dark Red Helleborine) No. 9a (or Pallens No.2)
8th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens (Dark Red Helleborine) No. 9a
8th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens (Dark Red Helleborine) No. 9a
8th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
8th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
8th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
8th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
Pallens No. 2 - 2022- Came through again.
Note the pink staining to the large bosses and epichile.
2022
2022
2022
2023- Came through but did not reach inflorescence.
2024- Came through but did not reach inflorescence.
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Pallens No.3 (2017)
The next plant of special interest within this section is our Pallens Specimen Escarp No.8 (2017) or better known as Pallens 3 which I first discovered in 2017.
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| This is Escarp No. 8 Pallens No.3 A very yellowy pale form which came through in 2017 (Click over to enlarge) |
2017 - Escarp 8 or )Pallens 3 This is a beautiful plant which we have been so privileged to witness this year for the first time. It has managed to survive throughout its growing season without incurring predation, although after saying that one of the flowers and it's hypochile have had a piece taken out of them (suspect slug or vole). I also want to show another photo here which has more close up views.
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| Another photo of Escarp 8 Pallens 3 in close up (Click over to enlarge) |
This is a good photo which gives a clearer picture of the situation. It is without doubt a very light/bright phase plant and full of bright yellow hence it be pallens. A feature sometimes associated with or without is the red blotches or staining to the epichile/bosses and outer sepals. Although the epichile and bosses are of a creamy background they have a gentle light specking or mottled light red, which also features on the undersides of the sepals. Again a very strong bright light green stem and with light green ovaries. The photo also shows a light red wash staining to the upper sepals which is hardly noticeable in the immediate view. Although we do call it a pallens variety. 18 - Escarp 8 or Pallens 3 Was taken down in its early days (at about 6") although it had been caged and all evidence looked very much like possible slug damage or other underground problems (eg: wobble foundations). It's close neighbour which is a regular but small red atrorubens has come through OK.
2019 - Escarp 8 or Pallens 3 The specimen came through OK and grew to about 4" before lying dormant and then withering away. When I investigated there were obvious signs the leaves had been attacked and holes appeared in the leaves as though chunks had been bitten out. On closer examination I lifted a stone which was about 6" from the plant and underneath the stone there were about 200 brown ants and lots of white chrysalis. I am sure that the plant suffered very much from undermining with all these ants and probably led to the downfall of this beautiful specimen for yet another year.
2020 - Escarp 8 or Pallens 3
The specimen is showing well 2020, see photo below taken on 30th May 2020. Ant infestation is close-by but does not seem to be affecting the plant. The plant has matured well and some really good news is that a further plant of a similar make up is growing within one metre, a smaller plant that should flower OK. This new plant will be called Pallens 3a
2020 - Escarp 8 or Pallens 3
The specimen is showing well 2020, see photo below taken on 30th May 2020. Ant infestation is close-by but does not seem to be affecting the plant. The plant has matured well and some really good news is that a further plant of a similar make up is growing within one metre, a smaller plant that should flower OK. This new plant will be called Pallens 3a
Pallens 3 - July 2020
2021 - Escarp 8 or Pallens 3
The specimen has been checked out regularly and is coming through without problem, first flowers 2nd July and reached full maturity without problem.
Pallens 3 - July 2021
2022
Remained caged and checked and came through well.
The deepest yellow of all the Hutton Roof Pallens.
2022
2022
2023
Came through with a twin, but both were victims of the prolonged dry, hot weather from mid-May to mid- June.
2024
Came through well. Stunning.
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Pallens 3a (Escarp 8 pallens 3a)
New for 2020 is this plant which grows within a metre of Pallens 3 (shown above).
Photo: July 2020 - Shows established and new one
Update for No.3a 2021
It came through just a couple of leaves with no inflorescence
2022
Caged and came through, but late. Note the pink bosses (just seen on photograph below) unlike Pallens 3
2022
2022
2023- No show
2024- No show
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Pallens No.4 (2017)
Epipactis atrorubens var: Pallens No.4 (Click over to enlarge)
Photo: Hutton Roof July 2017
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Epipactis atrorubens var: Pallens No.4 (Click over to enlarge) Photo: Hutton Roof July 2017 |
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Epipactis atrorubens var: Pallens No.4 (Click over to enlarge) Photo: Hutton Roof July 2017 |
Epipactis atrorubens var: Pallens (4)
Photo: 10th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
Epipactis atrorubens var: Pallens (4)
Photo: 10th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
Epipactis atrorubens var: Pallens (4)
Photo: 10th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
This photo shows Pallens 4 to the right and Pallens 4a to the left
This photo above shows how close Pallens 4,4a,5,5a are to one another. In the foreground the larger red circle is Pallens 4, and the smaller red circle is Pallens 4a. In the background the circle up against the hazel tree is Pallens 5 and the red circle 2 metre at the front of Pallens 5 is 5a.
2018 - After regular checking out the plant during June, I could not find any evidence that it has come through. Although there is one that has which is quite close and shows all the signs of a "pallens" (No.5)
2019 - (Update 10th July 2019) Plant has successfully come through again and photo shown above. Also it now has another pallens showing within one metre, (4a) and within about 3 metres there is also two more pallens No.5 and 5a.
2020 - (update) The plant (Pallens 4) came through OK yet before the inflorescence had chance to open it was predated by Brown Hare.
2020 - (update) The plant (Pallens 4) came through OK yet before the inflorescence had chance to open it was predated by Brown Hare.
2021 (update) The plant (Pallens 4) did come through but only has two leaves without any inflorescence.
2022 update- The plant came through OK along with 4a
2022- 4 and 4a, smaller spike to the right
2022
2022
2022
2024- Came through well
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Pallens No. 4a (2019)
Epipactis atrorubens var: Pallens (4a)
Photo: Hutton Roof on 11th July 2019
Epipactis atrorubens var: Pallens (4a)
Photo: Hutton Roof on 11th July 2019
Sadly Pallens 4a did start to come through OK, but stayed at the seedling stage and withered away.Epipactis atrorubens var: Pallens (4)
Photo: 10th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
Epipactis atrorubens var: Pallens (4) and (4a)
Photo: 22nd July 2019 - Hutton Roof
Shows the swelling of the ovaries so quickly!
Shows the swelling of the ovaries so quickly!
This photo (above) shows Pallens 4 to the right and Pallens 4a to the left
This photo above shows how close Pallens 4,4a,5,5a are to one another. In the foreground the larger red circle is Pallens 4, and the smaller red circle is Pallens 4a. In the background the circle up against the hazel tree is Pallens 5 and the red circle 2 metre at the front of Pallens 5 is 5a.
2020 Pallens 4a update:
2020 Pallens 4a update:
2021 Pallens 4a update
Sadly Pallens 4a did not come through
2022 Pallens 4a
Came through fully for first time since 2019
2022
2023- No show
2024- No show
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Pallens No.5 (2018)
2018 - "Pallans" NW of 55 - discovered in July 2018 and a feeble plant.
With most of our Pallens, the ovaries are light green or lemony in colour whereby on this specimen they are browny/green. Also different on this specimen is that it does not show red dots or smudges, yet it does show a light red wash over the sepals and also red on the midrib of the petals.
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| Very small "Palans" plant showing at about 50 yards NW of 55 The plant nestles at the LH bottom corner of a large hazel and could easily be overlooked - Pallens No. 5 photo 2018 (Click over to enlarge) |
2019 Update (July 11th 2019) The plant has come through again in 2019 but shows far more vigour throughout and below shows a recent photo.
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens (No.5) Dark Red Helleborine var: Pallens (No.5)
Photo: Hutton Roof 10th July 2019
Photo: Hutton Roof 10th July 2019
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens (No.5) Dark Red Helleborine var: Pallens (No.5)
Photo: Hutton Roof 10th July 2019
This photo above shows how close Pallens 5 which is tucked in beneath the hazel tree is to 5a which is about 2m away in the foreground.
2022
2022
2022
Photo: Hutton Roof 10th July 2019
This photo above shows how close Pallens 5 which is tucked in beneath the hazel tree is to 5a which is about 2m away in the foreground.
This photo above shows how close Pallens 4,4a,5,5a are to one another. In the foreground the larger red circle is Pallens 4, and the smaller red circle is Pallens 4a. In the background the circle up against the hazel tree is Pallens 5 and the red circle 2 metre at the front of Pallens 5 is 5a.
2020 update:
Sadly Pallens 5 just came through as seedling and never matured.
2020 update:
Sadly Pallens 5 just came through as seedling and never matured.
2021 update:
Sadly Pallens No.5 never showed
2022 update:
Came through as well as 2019. Clear red wash on sepals and midrib of petals as previously noted
2023 update: No show
2024: Came through, but small
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Pallens No. 5a (2019)
Looking at the general profile and colouring and geographical distance away from Pallens 5 it is without question that this specimen must be a later offspring.
With most of our Pallens, the ovaries are light green or lemony in colour whereby on this specimen they are browny/green. Also different on this specimen is that it does not show any red dots or smudges, yet it does show a light red wash over the sepals. and also slight red on part of the midrib of the petals
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens 5a (Click over to enlarge)
Photo: July 10th 2019 - Hutton Roof
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens 5a (Click over to enlarge)
Photo: July 10th 2019 - Hutton Roof
This photo above shows how close Pallens 5 which is tucked in beneath the hazel tree is to 5a which is about 2m away, and shows in the foreground.
Photo: July 10th 2019 - Hutton Roof
This photo above shows how close Pallens 5 which is tucked in beneath the hazel tree is to 5a which is about 2m away, and shows in the foreground.
This photo above shows how close Pallens 4,4a,5,5a are to one another. In the foreground the larger red circle is Pallens 4, and the smaller red circle is Pallens 4a. In the background the circle up against the hazel tree is Pallens 5 and the red circle 2 metre in front is Pallens 5a.
2019 (July 10th) Found for the first time. Came through within one metre from Pallens No.5, similar make up profiles and colouring to No.5 eg: no red spotting, just a hint of red on the outer sepals and part of the petal midrib. Browny/green ovaries. Slightly hairy to ovary and stem resembling them being frosty!
2020 update: Sadly Pallens 5a never appeared
2020 update: Sadly Pallens 5a never appeared
2021 update: Sadly Pallens 5a never showed
2022 update- Again, unfortunately Pallens 5a never showed
2023- No show
2024- Did not reach inflorescence
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Pallens No.6 (2017)
which was found in 2017.
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| Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens (No.6) This is 9k which was only found on 13th July 2017 (Click over to enlarge)  |
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens (No.6)
Photo: 25th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
(Click over to enlarge)
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens (No.6)
Photo: 24th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
(Click over to enlarge)
This is a plant I just found by sheer accident and it was behaving more in a creeper fashion when I first found it, as shown in the top photo, but on closer inspection it bore all the make up to qualify for "Pallans".
The light green was there again throughout the stem and ovaries. The flowers were lemony and lighter to both sepals and petals and again had all the regular staining of red dots and dashes.
2018 update Plant never found during 2018
Also worth a mention is that Pallans No.1 which is shown in the very early photographs (prior to 2017) got to the pre flowering stage when it just keeled over and on close inspection looked to me as though perhaps a predator (slug or otherwise) had got to its rootstock, so we are without this one this year. I just wanted to particularly mention it at this stage because No.9k is perhaps a few yards from that No.1 specimen.
2019 update
Plant was found again in mid July and now photographed on 24th July 2019. Its about the same size 10" and now upright (see photos)
2020 update
Plant was found again in mid July and now photographed on 24th July 2019. Its about the same size 10" and now upright (see photos)
2020 update
No show
2021 update - no show
2022 update- no show
2023 update- no show
2024 update- no show
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Pallens No. 7 (Rich M) (2015)
Pallens in the 55 population block, found by Richard Mielcarek in 2015.
A pallens plant within metres of 55.
Photo by Richard Mielcarek. Included in this addendum blog with kind permission
A pallens plant within metres of 55.
Photo by Richard Mielcarek. Included in this addendum blog with kind permission
From back in 2015. The plant never matured fully during 2016 or
2017 and just comes through with base leaves but no flowerhead.
The plant never matured fully during 2016 or 2017 and just comes through with base leaves but no flowerhead.
2018 update
Pallens No.7- in 2018
A beautiful plant which was re-discovered in 2018.
2019 update
(13th July 2019) The plant has come through well and here below are the photos taken today. (18th July 2019) I have noticed the plant has succumb to a colony of
Black Aphids with large ants in attendance. I did attempt to knock them off
the plant without much success!
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens No.7 (Dark Red Helleborine)
Photo: 13th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
I have a good history of this plant since Rich Mielcarek first found it in 2015
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens No.7 (Dark Red Helleborine)
Photo: 13th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
I have a good history of this plant since Rich Mielcarek first found it in 2015
2020 update:
The plant did come through this year, but sadly the stem got tangled up within the local grasses and subsequently brought down the inflorescence before flowering.
2020 update:
The plant did come through this year, but sadly the stem got tangled up within the local grasses and subsequently brought down the inflorescence before flowering.
2021 update:
Came through without problem and was a beautiful looking specimen (see photo above)
2022 update- came through well again
2022
2022
2022
2022
2022
2023: No show
2024- Did not reach inflorescence
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Pallens 8
I found this one in 2018 and it is slap bang in the middle of the 9's populations and going by the make-up of the plant, I would have expected to have originated from the original schmal 9, if you look at the photo below for comparison.
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens (No.8) Click over to enlarge
Photo: 13th July 2019
This shows you the new Pallens No.8 (left) against and for comparisons the original No.9 Schmalhauseneii (right) which we had back in 2014,2015 but not since. This particular plant as always had its very unique colouring and profile of which there are no further plants on the whole of Hutton Roof that can meet this same criteria. The new Pallens 8 lies in the position of approx 6ft away from the original No.9 Schmal (shown on right), so I wonder if it can be a re-incarnation of schmal 9 (I doubt it because of the distance!). Is more than likely to be yet another schmalhauseneii although at this point the colour in the flower has obviously not fully developed to how its parent looked back in 2014 - So is this a comeback from the original parent or is it more likely to be a offspring from that original parent? The missing years between them are 2016,2017. One thing I am sure about is that this is from the same gene pool!
This shows you the new Pallens No.8 (left) against and for comparisons the original No.9 Schmalhauseneii (right) which we had back in 2014,2015 but not since. This particular plant as always had its very unique colouring and profile of which there are no further plants on the whole of Hutton Roof that can meet this same criteria. The new Pallens 8 lies in the position of approx 6ft away from the original No.9 Schmal (shown on right), so I wonder if it can be a re-incarnation of schmal 9 (I doubt it because of the distance!). Is more than likely to be yet another schmalhauseneii although at this point the colour in the flower has obviously not fully developed to how its parent looked back in 2014 - So is this a comeback from the original parent or is it more likely to be a offspring from that original parent? The missing years between them are 2016,2017. One thing I am sure about is that this is from the same gene pool!
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens (No.8) Click over to enlarge
Photo: 13th July 2019
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens (No.8) Click over to enlarge
Photo: 13th July 2019
Epipactis atrorubens var Pallens (No.8) Click over to enlarge
Note we have no red showing in the lower third with this specimen which is just the same with the other nearby specimen Pallens 2
Photo: 13th July 2019
Note we have no red showing in the lower third with this specimen which is just the same with the other nearby specimen Pallens 2
Photo: 13th July 2019
2020 Update
Sadly the plant never came through
Sadly the plant never came through
2021 Update
Plant came through OK but feeble
2022 Update
Came through as last year
2022
2022
2022
2022
2022
2023- One of the handful of pale specimens to come through this year.
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Pallens No.9 (found 17th July 2019)
Pallens No.9 - a very pale specimen
taken on 18th July 2019
This is a rare variety "pallens" found today and will take the designation of No.9.
This year we do have 9 specimens which have flowered successfully (2 have not come through).
This one is slightly different and takes on a more insipid look to the specimen, also of note are the darker ovaries.
Photo: 17th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
Photo: 17th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
Photo: 17th July 2019 - Hutton Roof
2020 update of Pallens 9
The plant came through OK but never matured by not growing a inflorescence.
Photo July 2021
2021 update of Pallens 9
Came through all OK and even more beautiful this year but very insipid looking (in fact I have nicknamed it "insipid")
2022 update- Pallens 'insipid' did not reach inflorescence this year unfortunately
2023 update- No show
2024 update- Did not reach inflorescence
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Pallens 10 (2020)
This beauty was found within the 55 population and about 20ft away from Rich M (Pallens 7). Sadly the stem was very bendy.
Pallens 10 update 2021 - no show
2022 update- did not reach inflorescence
2023- No show
2023- No show
2024- Did not reach inflorescence
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Pallens No.11 (2019)
Photo by Greg Sowman. Included in this addendum blog with kind permission.
Photo by Greg Sowman. Included in this addendum blog with kind permission
I guess it would be a Lutescens or even maybe a albiflora.
2022 update- Although we had the grid reference, Bryan and I were not certain of the exact spot where this specimen was photographed. On many occasions out of the orchid season I have stopped by this area and tried to match up the limestone from Greg's photographs, without success.
On 15th July this year I finally found the exact spot. No sign of a specimen as above, but a lovely bicolour just out of shot of the first photograph below. There are other bicolours in this area, but it is also clearly a popular area for the roe deer.
Next year I will get here early.
Good bicolour by position where suspected Pallens found in 2019.
2023 Got here early, but a no show unfortunately.
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Pallens No.12 (2022)
Found July 2022 in the 9's area, very close to where Pallens 1 was found by Bryan and Alan Gendle in 2014. Growing in a well protected position.
2023 Nipped
2024 Came through OK
Pallens No.13 (2022)
Found July 2022. Naturally well protected in a gryke. Pink wash to the bosses and speckling to the petals and sepals (inner and outer).
In the fantastic 55s area. The variation in this small area is amazing. 'Regular' atrorubens, pallens, bicolours, specimens with white/cream epichiles/bosses...
all within a central area of approx. 5x5 metres...
2023 Came through, taking advantage of position
2024- Did not reach inflorescence
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Pallens 14
2023
New specimen found in the 9's area this year.
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Pallens 15
Newly recorded in 2024, the first pallens I have seen in another area of the fell. Thanks to Nick and James.
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