In Europe are two representatives of the genus Listera, on the one hand the rare Lesser Twayblade (Listera cordata), which is mostly to be found in bogs and in moist coniferous forests. On the other hand you can find the almost ubiquitous Common Twayblade (Listera ovata), which is undemanding and to be found in forests as well as in meadows. The Common Twayblade has numerous, small and grass green flowers.

According to new molecular biological analyses the genus Listera should have a close relationship to the genus Neottia, so that Listera cordata and Listera ovata are regrouped by some authors into the genus Neottia.