This small, inconspicious orchid lives in shady beech forests. Like most orchids it likes lime.

It is the most common of the three Cephalanthera species. I found it together with Orchis mascula and Listera ovata.

It is also the species of the three european Cephalanthera species which has the strongest mycorrhiza in the rhizoms. This enables C. damasonium to grow with relatively little light.

Unfortunately, this makes C. damasonium one of the most difficult orchids in the garden. If you don't own some yards of old, undisturbed forest with lime soil, forget it!