Giant Epipactus (Stream Orchid; Giant Helleborine; Helleborine)
Epipactus gigantea
Synonyms: Amesia gigantea; Limodorum giganteum; Peramium giganteum; Serapias gigantea; Helleborine gigantea
Family: Orchidaceae Orchid Family
Perennial herbs; erect stems arising from a rhizome; 11.8" to 4.6' (3 to14 dm) tall
Leaves: alternate; simple; leaves 2.2 to 8 (5.5 to 20 cm) long, 0.8 to 2.8 (2 to 7 cm) wide
Flowers: showy; 3 to 12 flowers; 3 petals green to rose to brownish purple; lip has strong veins marked with red or purple; petals 0.32 to 0.36 (8 to 9 mm) long, 0.28 to 0.32 (7 to 8 mm) wide; one petal (the lip) differs from the other two petals in size and coloration; lip 0.6 to 0.72 (15 to 18 mm) long; 3 sepals green to rose with purple or red nerves; sepals 0.24 to 0.32 (6 to 8 mm) wide
Pollinators: other genera in this family are pollinated by insects
Fruits: capsule
Blooms in Arches National Park: April, May June, July, August
Habitat in Arches National Park: along streams, rivers, seeps and hanging gardens
Location seen: around springs and seeps
Other: The genus name, Epipactus, is either from the Greek epipaktis or epipegnuo, the name adopted for this genus which was originally called hellebore which refers to a milk-curdling property claimed for some species. The species name, gigantea, means gigantic referring to the height of the plant. |