Epipactis gigantea

Epipactis gigantea is our only native Epipactis, though Epipactis helleborine is also quite common in our area, especially at lower elevations.  That species, however,  is a European import and not a native.  Epipactis gigantea is known both as the Stream Orchid for its preference for wet areas and as the Chatterbox for its moveable lip.  By any name it is a beautiful species with large flowers and attractive plants.  The plants have pleated leaves and generally grow to 30-45 cm, though they can be taller.  The flowers, as many as several dozen to a spike are 3 cm across and beautifully colored.  We know several locations where these can be found but found a new location this summer with hundreds of plants, a great find since the species is quite rare and protected in Washington.

July 24

(Olympic Peninsula)