In early September it was reported to me that this plant does not seem to have set seed this year. This, in reflection, it quite likely, but mainly due to the lack of anthocyanins. The presence of these pigments in the flowers would act as a beacon to pollinators, such as wasps, which would home in on their UV wavelengths. There is no mention of scents to attract insects, only that the nectar produced being very attractive - intoxicating even. As such, the nectar ensures that the pollinating insects come into contact with the pollinia and stay long enough for those to attach, but does not necessarily attract the insects.

Thus, with autogamy an unlikely back-up mechanism, this variety pf BLH would be much less likely to set seed. This would also apply to the var. chlorantha growing nearby. It would be interesting to know if that plant has set seed. Low rates of pollination of the proposed homo-zygotic anthocyanin deficient plants would ensure the disadvantageous genes were maintained at a low frequency within a population.

In Wild Orchids of Britain by V. S. Summerhayes there is mention of plants with yellowish white flowers being recorded from Gloucestershire and parts of Wales. However lack of chlorophyll is not mentioned and this may refer to var. monotroides exhibiting lack of anthocyanin.