plant-banner1

NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Epipactis helleborine

Broad-leaved Helleborine, Eastern Helleborine, Weed Orchid

Scientific Name:

Epipactis helleborine

Genus:

Epipactis

Species Epithet:

helleborine

Common Name:

Broad-leaved Helleborine, Eastern Helleborine, Weed Orchid

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

Native/Alien:

Not Native to US

Size:

1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White, Green, Purple

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry, Moist

Bloom Time:

June, July, August, September

Growing Area:

Mountains

Habitat Description:

Mesic and dry-mesic forests, cultivated garden-beds. Rare in NC Mountains.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Not Assigned

Landscape Value:

Not Recommended for home landscapes

State Rank:

(*Key)

Global Rank:

GNR: Unknown (*Key)

State Status:

(*Key)

Notes:

This European plant has certainly naturalized in NA (is is currently the only non-native, naturalized orchid in N. America). After being first discovered outside Syracuse, NY in 1879, it has spread widely across the US and Canada. It has spread south into NC and across to CA. Here is a link to the Flora of NA write up - http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101586. The distribution map is out-of-date as many more locations have been discovered.

Blooming Plant

image

© David R. McAdoo

Closeup of Blooms

image

© David R. McAdoo

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



Permalink - (right click to save this page to your bookmarks)

<<< PREVIOUS

NEXT >>>

back to top
go to plant details search
go to plant images search
go to gallery home
back to Initial e Gallery
back to orchids
back to Carnivorous Plants
back to Trilliums