1. Rachis of inflorescence densely pubescent........................................................................................................................................2

- Rachis of inflorescence glabrous or subglabrous (minute pubescence could sometimes be visible in a microscope)....................11

2. Ovary strongly pubescent same as rachis of inflorescence; leaves usually ± equal in length to the internodes................................3

- Ovaries glabrous or significantly more sparsely pubescent than the rachis of inflorescence; leaves usually much longer than the internodes...........................................................................................................................................................................................6

3. Epichile green, with one big, irregular, strongly crenate boss near the base; sepals shorter than 7 mm.................... E. microphylla

- Epichile greenish-white to bright-pink, with two separate bosses near the base; sepals longer than 7 mm......................................4

4. Viscidium absent; epichile greenish-white to dirty-pink........................................................................................... E. krymmontana

- Viscidium present; epichile pale-pink to bright-pink.........................................................................................................................5

5. Leaves green, not suffused purple, elliptic, rarely lanceolate........................................................ E. condensata subsp. condensata

- Leaves suffused by purple, ovate, rarely elliptic........................................................................... E. condensata subsp. kuenkeleana

6. Viscidium absent, pollinia touching the stigma even in young flowers; epichile pinkish-green, ± flat or with two indistinct small bosses near the base; petals whitish-green; pedicel completely green............................................................................... E. muelleri

- Viscidium present at least in young flowers, pollinia not touching the stigma; epichile usually with two large bosses near the base, if bosses absent, then the epichile is green; petals of various coloration; pedicel purplish at least at the base........................7

7. Epichile completely green, ± flat or with two indistinct small bosses near the base; sepals 6.5–8 mm long; viscidium present only in young flowers.................................................................................................................................................................. E. pontica

- Epichile whitish-pink to bright-pink or crimson, with two large bosses near the base; sepals 8–12 mm long; viscidium usually present not only in young flowers......................................................................................................................................................8

8. Leaves concentrated mainly at the base of the stem; inflorescence occupies about 2/3 of the stem; epichile usually with yellow longitudinal stripe................................................................................................................................................................ E. turcica

- Leaves scattered regularly along the stem; inflorescence occupies about 1/3 of the stem; epichile without yellow longitudinal stripe...................................................................................................................................................................................................9

9. Epichile pale pink to pink, paler than the petals; leaves ± flat....................................................... E. helleborine subsp. orbicularis

- Epichile pale pink to bright-pink and crimson, not paler and usually brighter than the petals; leaves ± arching............................10

10. Epichile brighter than petals; medial leaves elliptic to elliptically lanceolate................................... E. helleborine subsp. levantina

- Epichile ± same in colour as petals; medial leaves ovate to elliptic............................................... E. helleborine subsp. helleborine

11. Leaves erect; stem completely green or purplish at the base; pedicel sometimes completely green; flowers ± campanulate.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... E. taurica

- Leaves arching; stem always purplish at the base; pedicel always purple at least at the base; tepals ± spreading............. E. persica