Epipogium,
metsänemät
I am not sure of the number of species in this genus. I know three members
of Epipogium-genus: the familiar E. aphyllum, Asian species
Epipogium roseum and Japanese E. japonicum. They all are
orchids with no chlorophyll. The stems are reddish. There is rhizome under
ground, which flowers only seldom, possibly only after each 20 years. E.
aphyllum is the only species that can be found in Europe.
Althought Epipogiums are hard to find, E. aphyllum has
few places in Finland where it can flower almost every year.