Lesser butterfly orchid

Key traits

The lesser butterfly orchid is a perennial plant that overwinters as an underground tuber, from which the two basal leaves emerge in spring. It requires high light and is vulnerable to shading and competition from more vigorous vegetation. Disturbance, like fire or grazing, that keeps more competitive vegetation under control, will benefit the lesser butterfly orchid (Back from the Brink, 2020).

Lesser butterfly orchids can readily colonise open areas, such as those produced by fire. They produce huge amounts of wind-dispersed seeds (35-85,000 seeds per plant). Fire effects on seed viability are unclear.

Plant response to fire

Disturbance, like fire, that preserves an open canopy and reduces competition are important for the maintenance of suitable habitat and the persistence of lesser butterfly orchid populations. Sites with large populations of lesser butterfly orchids in the UK may be maintained by swaling (controlled fire; Back from the Brink, 2020). However, fire during the growing season would likely negatively impact lesser butterfly orchid populations, as in other seasonally-dormant orchids (Quarmby, 1999)

Timing of life history

Perennial species. Seeds can be produced from 2-6 years depending upon the site productivity. Flowering June to July.